Bordertown (1935)

Director:

Archie Mayo

Writers:

Carroll Graham (suggested by book "Border Town")
Robert Lord (story)

Release Date:

23 January 1935 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir

Plot:

Johnny Ramirez rises from bouncer to partner in Charlie Roark's border town casino. Charlie's wife Marie loves Johnny...

Plot Keywords:

Casino | Murder | Police | One Word Title | Confession Of Crime

Cast

Paul Muni	...	Johnny Ramirez
Bette Davis	...	Mrs. Marie Roark
Margaret Lindsay	...	Dale Elwell
Eugene Pallette	...	Charles 'Charlie' Roark
Robert Barrat	...	Padre
Soledad Jiménez	...	Mrs. Ramirez
Hobart Cavanaugh	...	Harry, the drunk
Gavin Gordon	...	Brook Manville
William B. Davidson	...	Dr. 'Doc' Carter, D.D.S. (as William Davidson)
Arthur Stone	...	Manuel Diego
Vivian Tobin	...	Mrs. Garner, Dale's friend

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #299)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Paul Muni hired a Mexican man as chauffeur to study his accent and mannerisms in preparation for this role.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Camera shadow on Johnny and Dale when they are dancing at the opening of Johnny's casino.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Stardust: The Bette Davis Story (2006) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Sweet Georgia Brown

Politically incorrect, but Bette's star is on the rise

"Bordertown" is the story of a Mexican attorney, Johnny Ramirez, and his fight to make something of himself and realize the American dream. Who better to portray him than the Jewish Paul Muni. After physically attacking another attorney during a disastrous court appearance, Johnny becomes a bouncer in a nightclub. However, his brains, ability, and negotiation expertise come to the attention of his boss, Roark (Eugene Palette), who agrees to bring him in as a partner. Johnny has also come to the attention of Marie Roark (Bette Davis), the restless wife of the boss, and she throws herself at him. Johnny, however, has fallen for Dale (Margaret Lindsay), a socialite. Marie kills her husband, and when he rejects her again, she tells the police that Johnny killed Roark.

Paul Muni was an excellent actor whose style of acting is perhaps dated by today's standards. He could disappear into his roles, often to great effect, but unfortunately, he doesn't disappear enough into Johnny Ramirez. His portrayal is over the top and his accent is bad. The standout is Bette Davis, young and pretty, as the unstable wife. Just off her great success in "Of Human Bondage," which was a loanout by Warners, she demonstrates here how well she takes charge of the screen.

Most of the characters are pretty stereotypical. "Bordertown" is badly dated but worth seeing for its early Bette Davis performance.