The Trial of Madame X * (1948, Mara Russell-Tavernan, Paul England, Hamilton Deane) – Classic Movie Review 13,145

The cover of the play’s novel adaptation by J. W. McConaughy illustrated by Edward Charles Volkert.

The 1948 British film The Trial of Madame X starring Mara Russell-Tavernan and Paul England is the incredibly stiff and creaky fifth film version of the much filmed 1908 stage play Madame X by Alexandre Bisson.

Writer/ director Paul England’s 1948 British black and white drama film The Trial of Madame X stars Mara Russell-Tavernan and Paul England, and is the incredibly stiff, terribly creaky fifth film version of the old weepie, based (uncredited) on the much filmed 1908 stage play Madame X by French playwright Alexandre Bisson.

Jacqueline (Mara Russell-Tavernan), a straying woman who has sunk into depravity after being thrown out of her home and into the streets by her jealous husband, is now 20 years later accused of murder after having saved her son from disgrace by shooting and killing her blackmailing lover.

She finds that she is to be defended in court by her now grown-up son Edouard Perrisard (Paul England), who doesn’t recognise her as she left home when he was an infant.

Yes it is an Edwardian-era, pre-First World War melodrama, but the melodramatic, silent movie style acting does it in, and the florid screenplay by Paul England (failing to credit Alexandre Bisson) doesn’t help. It can be a good laugh for those who like to scoff at old movies.

It is also known as Jacqueline. This version was showing in the UK on Talking Pictures TV and had organ music by Robin Richmond.

Famous remake: 1965’s Madame X with Lana Turner. Previous remake: 1937’s Madame X with Gladys George.

The cast are Mara Russell-Tavernan (credited as Mary Taviner) as Jacqueline, Paul England as Edouard Perrisard, Frank Hawkins as Jean Laroque, Eddie Leslie as Raymond Floriot, Hamilton Deane as Noel Callier, Hamilton Keene as Louis Floriot, Jean Le Roy as Madeleine, Natalie Raine (credited as Natalie Rayne) as receptionist Julie.

Hamilton Deane (1880 – 25 October 1958).

Note the very rare screen appearance by the Irish actor and playwright Hamilton Deane, author of the 1924 stage play Dracula, as the judge Noel Callier.

It was shot at Viking Film Studios, Kensington, London.

The Trial of Madame X runs 54 minutes, is directed by Paul England, is made by Invicta Films, is released by Equity British Films (UK). is written by Paul England, based on the play by Alexandre Bisson (uncredited), is produced by F W Kilner and Wyndham T Vint, and is shot in black and white by Ernest Palmer (director of photography) and Hone Glendinning, with art direction by George Jones.

Release date: 1948.

English actor Paul England (17 June 1892 – 21st November 1968) was born in Streatham, south London, He acted  in Charlie Chan in London (1934), Disputed Passage (1939), The Invisible Man Returns (1940), The Earl of Chicago (1940), and The Trial of Madame X (1948),

Madame X movies

Madame X (1916  lost American silent film) starring Dorothy Donnelly, Madame X (1920), starring Pauline Frederick, Madame X (1929), starring Ruth Chatterton, Madame X (1937), starring Gladys George, The Trial of Madame X (1948) starring Mara Russell-Tavernan, Madame X (1952), starring Gloria Romero, Madame X (1954 Greek film), Madame X (1955 Mexican film),  Madame X (1966 film), starring Lana Turner, and Madame X (1981 TV  film), starring Tuesday Weld.

© Derek Winnert 2024 – Classic Movie Review 13,145

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