The Gorgeous Hussy (1936)
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41% of users liked it
(223 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… 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
- Directed By
- Clarence Brown
- Written By
- Stephen Morehouse Avery, Ainsworth Morgan
- Genres
- Drama, Kids & Family, Romance, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Aug 28, 1936 Wide
- Studio
- Unknown
Critic Reviews
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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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Cast
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Joan Crawford
as Peggy O'Neal Eaton
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Robert Taylor
as Bow Timberlake
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Lionel Barrymore
as Andrew Jackson
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Franchot Tone
as John Eaton
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Melvyn Douglas
as John Randolph
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James Stewart
as Roderick "Rowdy" Dow
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Alison Skipworth
as Mrs. Beall
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Louis Calhern
as Sunderland
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Beulah Bondi
as Rachel Jackson
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Melville Cooper
as Cuthbert
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Sidney Toler
as Daniel Webster
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Gene Lockhart
as Maj. O'Neal
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Clara Blandick
as Louisa Abbott
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Frank Conroy
as John C. Calhoun
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Nydia Westman
as Maybelle
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Charles Trowbridge
as Martin Van Buren
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Willard Robertson
as Secretary Ingram
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Rubye DeRemer
as Mrs. Bellamy
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Betty Blythe
as Mrs. Wainwright
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Zeffie Tilbury
as Mrs. Daniel Beall
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Hooper Atchley
as Agitator
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Edith Atwater
as Lady Vaughn
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Louise Beavers
as Aunt Sukey
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Ward Bond
as Officer
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Wade Boteler
as Agitator
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Phoebe Foster
as Emily Donaldson
- Lew Harvey
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Tom Herbert
as Slave Dealer
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Samuel S. Hinds
as Commander
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Harry Holman
as Auctioneer
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Elsa Janssen
as Dutch Minister's Wife
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Sam McDaniel
as Butler
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Greta Meyer
as Mrs. Oxenrider
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William Orlamond
as Herr Oxenrider
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Lee Phelps
as Bartender
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Richard Powell
as Doorman
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George H. Reed
as Braxton
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Bert Roach
as Major-Domo
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Sid Saylor
as Agitator
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Harry Strang
as Navigator
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Fred 'Snowflake' Toones
as Horatius
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Morgan Wallace
as Slave Buyer
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Oscar Apfel
as Tompkins
