Bordertown **** (1935, Paul Muni, Bette Davis, Margaret Lindsay, Eugene Pallette, Robert Barrat, Henry O’Neill) – Classic Movie Review 6855

Director Archie Mayo’s entertaining 1935 Bordertown tale of trouble and strife in a Mexican border town is an impressive crime drama movie, co-scripted by producer Robert Lord, who adapts Carroll Graham’s novel, which was reworked as They Drive by Night (1940) and Blowing Wild (1953).

Bette Davis stars as lusty Marie Roark, who is married to bordertown gambling house owner Charlie Roark (Eugene Pallette), but gets the hots for his bouncer employee, disbarred Mexican lawyer Johnny Ramirez (Paul Muni), who prefers a ladylike lady, Dale Elwell (Margaret Lindsay), leading to murder.

Davis plays an over-the-top villainess and makes her character’s wickedness look irresistible, while the Austro-Hungarian Jewish Muni matches her in unrestrained brio, with a personable Mexican impersonation in a fairly accurate-sounding accent. Tony Gaudio’s atmospheric black and white cinematography ensures that the images are eye-catching, while Mayo’s tense direction makes the film look and feel mean and moody.

Also in the cast are Robert Barrat, Henry O’Neill, Hobart Cavanaugh, Soledad Jiménez, Gavin Gordon, William B Davidson, Arthur Stone, Vivian Tobin, Oscar Apfel, Samuel S Hinds, Milton Kibbee, Chris-Pin Martin, Wade Boteler, Alphonse Ethier, John Eberts, Bert Moorhouse, Ralph Navarro, David Newell, Jack Norton, Henry O’Neill, Frank Puglia, George Regas, Julian Rivero, Arthur Treacher, Jack Trent, Carlos Villarías, Arthur Vinton, Jack Wise, Mary Russell, Marjorie North, and Edward McWade.

Bordertown is directed by Archie Mayo, runs 90 minutes, is a Warner Bros production, is released by Warner Bros, is written by Robert Lord (story), Laird Doyle (screenplay) and Wallace Smith (screenplay), based on Carroll Graham’s novel, shot in black and white by Tony Gaudio, produced by Jack L Warner (executive producer), Hal B Wallis (executive producer) and Robert Lord, and scored by Bernard Haun, with Art Direction by Jack Okey and Costume Design by Orry-Kelly (gowns)

It was shot at Warner Brothers Burbank Studios, 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, in August 1934, with location work at La Placita Our Lady Queen of Angels church, 535 North Main Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, and Olvera Street, Los Angeles.

Muni hired a Mexican chauffeur to study his accent and mannerisms to prepare for his role.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6855

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com