The Gorgeous Hussy (1936)

40% of users liked it
(220 ratings)

The Gorgeous Hussy purports to be based on the life of Margaret "Peggy" O'Neill, the controversial wife of early 19th-century politician John Eaton, who served as cabinet minister during the Andrew Jackson presidency. Snubbed by the Washington elite because of her questionable background as a… More The Gorgeous Hussy purports to be based on the life of Margaret "Peggy" O'Neill, the controversial wife of early 19th-century politician John Eaton, who served as cabinet minister during the Andrew Jackson presidency. Snubbed by the Washington elite because of her questionable background as a tavernkeeper's daughter, "Pothouse Peg" is championed by her longtime friend Jackson, who chooses to ignore the gossip-mongers and the scandal-provokers of the era. He even stands by Peggy's side when one of her admirers (Melvyn Douglas) is ignominiously killed by his enemies. Some historians believe that the "gorgeous hussy" and Jackson were themselves lovers, but this is never hinted at in the film, which is described in a foreword as "fiction founded upon historical fact." Joan Crawford wears an exhausting succession of gorgeous gowns as Peggy Eaton, but she can't do much to enliven her sketchily written role; one is aware that she brings disgrace to everyone she meets, but one is hard-pressed to understand why. Much better within the framework is Lionel Barrymore as Jackson, Beulah Bondi as "Old Hickory"'s pipe-smoking wife, Rachel, and Sidney Toler (two years away from Charlie Chan) as Daniel Webster. James Stewart is also in the film as one "Rowdy" Dow, a role he later chose to forget. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: Clarence Brown
Written By: Stephen Morehouse Avery, Ainsworth Morgan
Genres: Drama, Kids & Family, Romance, Classics

In Theaters: Aug 28, 1936 Wide
On DVD: Jun 24, 1992
Studio: Unknown

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
This MGM fictionalized historical drama tries but doesn't always succeed to be a good star vehicle for Joan Crawford (as Peggy Eaton) as well as a biopic of President Andrew Jackson.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

The basic story isn't the problem and could make an interesting film but this ain't it! Joan is completely wrong in a period piece far to contemporary in action and deed, she takes the rest of the cast down with her.

Cast

            Joan Crawford as Peggy O'Neal Eaton

            Robert Taylor as Bow Timberlake

            Lionel Barrymore as Andrew Jackson

            Franchot Tone as John Eaton

            Melvyn Douglas as John Randolph

            James Stewart as Roderick "Rowdy" Dow

            Alison Skipworth as Mrs. Beall

            Louis Calhern as Sunderland

            Beulah Bondi as Rachel Jackson

            Melville Cooper as Cuthbert

            Sidney Toler as Daniel Webster

            Gene Lockhart as Maj. O'Neal

            Clara Blandick as Louisa Abbott

            Frank Conroy as John C. Calhoun

            Nydia Westman as Maybelle

            Charles Trowbridge as Martin Van Buren

            Willard Robertson as Secretary Ingram

            Rubye DeRemer as Mrs. Bellamy

            Betty Blythe as Mrs. Wainwright

            Zeffie Tilbury as Mrs. Daniel Beall

            Hooper Atchley as Agitator

            Edith Atwater as Lady Vaughn

            Louise Beavers as Aunt Sukey

            Ward Bond as Officer

            Wade Boteler as Agitator

            Phoebe Foster as Emily Donaldson

            Lew Harvey
            
            Tom Herbert as Slave Dealer

            Samuel S. Hinds as Commander

            Harry Holman as Auctioneer

            Elsa Janssen as Dutch Minister's Wife

            Sam McDaniel as Butler

            Greta Meyer as Mrs. Oxenrider

            William Orlamond as Herr Oxenrider

            Lee Phelps as Bartender

            Richard Powell as Doorman

            George H. Reed as Braxton

            Bert Roach as Major-Domo

            Sid Saylor as Agitator

            Harry Strang as Navigator

            Fred 'Snowflake' Toones as Horatius

            Morgan Wallace as Slave Buyer

            Oscar Apfel as Tompkins
See full cast