THE CABIN IN THE COTTON (First National Pictures, 1932), directed by Michael Curtiz, stars Richard Barthelmess, one of the more popular leading men of the silent screen, in one of his finer movie offerings in the early talkie era. With Barthelmess now forgotten as much of his many movie titles, THE CABIN IN THE COTTON has the distinction of being better known more for the presence of young Bette Davis. Billed third after Barthelmess and Dorothy Jordan, Davis is given the sort of role more to her liking than anyone could imagine, even though this is essentially a Barthelmess movie from start to finish.
Set in the South (hence the title and underscoring to Stephen Foster's famous composition of "Swanee River"), the story (based on the novel by Harry Harrison Kroll) deals with the dispute between the rich land-owners known as Planters and the poor pickers known as tenants, or Peckerwoods. Tom and Lily Blake (David Landau and Dorothy Peterson) work as tenants picking cotton for a living under Lane Norwood (Berton Churchill), a rich landowner. Noticing their elder son, Marvin, is not among the pickers, away in school getting his education, Norwood insists the young man give up his schooling and return to work. Before Tom is to discuss the future of his life to Marvin (Richard Barthelmess), Tom dies, forcing him to quit school to look after his mother and younger siblings. With Lily remarrying to Sock Fisher (Erville Alderson), at the urging of his daughter, Madge (Bette Davis), Norwood financially helps Marvin complete his education, graduating with diploma, and offering him a job working at his store. Though Madge is interested in Marvin, he is loved by his neighbor, Betty Wright (Dorothy Jordan), who becomes jealous over Marvin's attentions towards this flirtatious young lady. Later promoted to bookkeeper, aside from discovering something startling in Norwood's books, Marvin is torn between the loyalty to his own people and his gratitude towards Norwood, whose cotton is being mysteriously stolen. Featured in the supporting cast are Hardie Albright, Russell Simpson, Edmund Breese, William LeMaire and Clarence Muse.
Though an early talkie, THE CABIN IN THE COTTON seems to have all the ingredients of a silent movie under the direction of D. W. Griffith. Even its casting of former silent actors as Barthelmess, Henry B. Walthall, Erville Alderson and Tully Marshall certainly gives this movie that silent movie feel. The film is also a welcome change seeing Berton Churchill in a substantial role as opposed to his usual two minute bits as judge or crooked politician.
Even if Bette Davis never became a super star as she would become by the end of the decade, she nearly steals every scene she's in from her leading performers, Barthelmess and Dorothy Jordan. Davis most notable scenes include her singing briefly "Willie the Weeper," and featuring her now classic line, "I'd like to kiss ya, but I just washed my hair." Her Southern accent sounds authentic, indicating her fine talent so early in her career that would benefit her in the future. She is quite a vixen here.
Unseen on commercial television since Philadelphia's WPHL, Channel 17's broadcast in 1973-74, THE CABIN IN THE COTTON surfaced decades later first on TNT (Turner Network Television) from 1989-1993 and finally Turner Classic Movies (since 1994). It also consists of availability on both video cassette and DVD formats to assure its rediscovery. (***)
Set in the South (hence the title and underscoring to Stephen Foster's famous composition of "Swanee River"), the story (based on the novel by Harry Harrison Kroll) deals with the dispute between the rich land-owners known as Planters and the poor pickers known as tenants, or Peckerwoods. Tom and Lily Blake (David Landau and Dorothy Peterson) work as tenants picking cotton for a living under Lane Norwood (Berton Churchill), a rich landowner. Noticing their elder son, Marvin, is not among the pickers, away in school getting his education, Norwood insists the young man give up his schooling and return to work. Before Tom is to discuss the future of his life to Marvin (Richard Barthelmess), Tom dies, forcing him to quit school to look after his mother and younger siblings. With Lily remarrying to Sock Fisher (Erville Alderson), at the urging of his daughter, Madge (Bette Davis), Norwood financially helps Marvin complete his education, graduating with diploma, and offering him a job working at his store. Though Madge is interested in Marvin, he is loved by his neighbor, Betty Wright (Dorothy Jordan), who becomes jealous over Marvin's attentions towards this flirtatious young lady. Later promoted to bookkeeper, aside from discovering something startling in Norwood's books, Marvin is torn between the loyalty to his own people and his gratitude towards Norwood, whose cotton is being mysteriously stolen. Featured in the supporting cast are Hardie Albright, Russell Simpson, Edmund Breese, William LeMaire and Clarence Muse.
Though an early talkie, THE CABIN IN THE COTTON seems to have all the ingredients of a silent movie under the direction of D. W. Griffith. Even its casting of former silent actors as Barthelmess, Henry B. Walthall, Erville Alderson and Tully Marshall certainly gives this movie that silent movie feel. The film is also a welcome change seeing Berton Churchill in a substantial role as opposed to his usual two minute bits as judge or crooked politician.
Even if Bette Davis never became a super star as she would become by the end of the decade, she nearly steals every scene she's in from her leading performers, Barthelmess and Dorothy Jordan. Davis most notable scenes include her singing briefly "Willie the Weeper," and featuring her now classic line, "I'd like to kiss ya, but I just washed my hair." Her Southern accent sounds authentic, indicating her fine talent so early in her career that would benefit her in the future. She is quite a vixen here.
Unseen on commercial television since Philadelphia's WPHL, Channel 17's broadcast in 1973-74, THE CABIN IN THE COTTON surfaced decades later first on TNT (Turner Network Television) from 1989-1993 and finally Turner Classic Movies (since 1994). It also consists of availability on both video cassette and DVD formats to assure its rediscovery. (***)