1934's "The Life of Vergie Winters" was an RKO vehicle for fading early talkie star Ann Harding, well cast as an unselfish woman, Virgie Winters, foolishly cast aside by her former lover John Shadwell (John Boles), who was told by Vergie's father Jim (Edward Van Sloan) that she intended to marry his assistant, good natured Hugo McQueen (Lon Chaney Jr.). Marrying on the rebound to Laura (Helen Vinson), whose father offered Vergie's father $10,000 to assure that the wedding take place, John later returns to Vergie to proclaim his true love, after she has made a success selling hats to ladies in a millinery shop. Vergie does not want any scandal attached to John's name as his rise in politics is swift and assured, John's wife only interested in the prestige of being Mrs. John Shadwell. Vergie even goes so far as to give up her love child with John, sending their newborn daughter off to Washington to live with her father, remaining ignorant of her parentage throughout childhood (future Nancy Drew Bonita Granville enjoys a showy bit as the young Joan Shadwell). Only at the end, after John attends his daughter's wedding, does he attempt to make a clean break from his clinging spouse, who has known about his affair with Vergie for many years, and refuses to grant him a divorce. Everything that female moviegoers would expect from such a story is present, right through to the expectedly downbeat finale, so it's up to the cast to offer their own interpretations to carry off various subplots (a bit too many I should think). Appearing uncredited is Walter Brennan, whose timely bit of spying precipitates Vergie's fall from grace with the town gossips, as well as the unmistakable Edwin Maxwell, cast in his usual role as orator (I guess John Carradine was unavailable). Speaking of Carradine, his future co-star Lon Chaney is present in the 6th billed role of Hugo McQueen, still billed under his real name, Creighton Chaney (this was only his 8th film), a nice change of pace though on screen (until the very end) for only the first 15 minutes (still at his original studio, RKO). Ann Harding's performance in the title role is certainly acceptable, but the film was not the hoped-for box office success she anticipated, the newly enforced Hays code preventing such adult frankness in future movie projects.
12 Reviews
"Back Street"-type nonsense, but Ann's wonderful
marcslope1 September 2017
This was one of a forgotten genre that thrived through the 1930s, the weepie about an unmarried woman who loves a married man and stays faithful to him, sometimes having his child as well-- "Madame X," "Back Street," "Stella Dallas," "The Sin of Madelon Claudet," "The Strange Case of Clara Deane," on and on. This one, scripted by the reliable Jane Murfin, doesn't offer a lot of variation on a tried-and-true formula, but it does boast an important asset: Ann Harding, at the peak of her powers. As the milliner who loves John Boles, is deliberately separated from him by her father, and eventually is wrongly convicted for his murder, she's characteristically intelligent and appealing, with a stillness, a thoughtfulness that makes her more interesting than many actresses in similar roles. Some plot twists don't really work (Helen Vinson would NOT do that on her deathbed), and Alfred Santell's direction and the supporting cast are so-so--nice to see a young Betty Furness, though, and the always appealing Frank Albertson as her suitor. But Ann brings more genuine conviction to the title part than it deserves, and by the improbable kind-of-happy ending, I'll admit, I shed a tear or two for Vergie.
Beautiful Ann Made Her Role Believable!!
kidboots21 January 2013
Warning: Spoilers
One of the reviews complains about the very downbeat theme and ending but that's what audiences of the day were eager to see. This movie brought together every essential ingredient required for a superior tear jerker - although critics didn't think it came close to the original "Back Street". Beautiful Ann Harding made her role as the genteel milliner, destined to be waiting, for ever waiting at rising politician's (John Boles) beck and call, really believable and Boles seemed more human and not his usual stuffy self.
As John Shadwell's funeral procession passes, Vergie Winters sits alone in her prison cell remembering...
...remembering how John married Laura (Helen Vinson) because he had heard that it was "necessary" for Virgie to marry Hugo (Creigton Chaney) but it was all the evil plotting of Laura's father who had given Virgie's father $10,000 to spread the vicious rumour. From the time they return from their honeymoon Laura makes herself unpleasant, especially to the servants etc. But wait, there's more - even a passing nod to stream of consciousness dialogue via "Strange Interlude" which was all the rage at the time but seemed out of place in this old fashioned melodrama.
Of course John realises his marriage was all a ghastly mistake but poor Virgie is doomed to remain in the "back streets" of town and as news of the scandalous behaviour filters out, Virgie's once chic hat shop is shunned by the town's leading citizens. Her friendly and respectful manner to Madame Claire and her "girls" earns her a true friend and help from a couple of tricky financial situations. Unlike the heroine from "Back Street" she prefers to make a go of it without the financial help of any man - in fact she is a career woman from the start.
A child is born, Joan (first played by Bonita Granville and then by the very capable Betty Furness) but Virgie tearfully hands her over to John and Laura, once again taking a back seat and viewing Joan's milestones from the shadows. There is a subplot involving Virgie's assistant Sadie (Molly O'Day was still quite young but she had had her best role in "The Patent Leather Kid" 7 years before and a difficulty in keeping a slim figure had damaged her career) and went to point out the hypocrisy of small town life. Sadie longs for the bright lights and is also juggling the attentions of two men, one (Ben Alexander) takes her to the city but they flee back to the town owing $500. He is then shot by his father trying to retrieve evidence that shows Virgie is the real mother of Joan and the next scene shows Sadie hastily accepting another boy's proposal of marriage. Everything happens in this movie and it concludes with a very soggy finale where all is resolved.
Helen Vinson was the actress they turned to when a vindictive other woman was called for - she could play these roles in her sleep. Also Dorothy Sebastian, star of silents and pal of Joan Crawford, had a very small role as Virgie's second assistant.
As John Shadwell's funeral procession passes, Vergie Winters sits alone in her prison cell remembering...
...remembering how John married Laura (Helen Vinson) because he had heard that it was "necessary" for Virgie to marry Hugo (Creigton Chaney) but it was all the evil plotting of Laura's father who had given Virgie's father $10,000 to spread the vicious rumour. From the time they return from their honeymoon Laura makes herself unpleasant, especially to the servants etc. But wait, there's more - even a passing nod to stream of consciousness dialogue via "Strange Interlude" which was all the rage at the time but seemed out of place in this old fashioned melodrama.
Of course John realises his marriage was all a ghastly mistake but poor Virgie is doomed to remain in the "back streets" of town and as news of the scandalous behaviour filters out, Virgie's once chic hat shop is shunned by the town's leading citizens. Her friendly and respectful manner to Madame Claire and her "girls" earns her a true friend and help from a couple of tricky financial situations. Unlike the heroine from "Back Street" she prefers to make a go of it without the financial help of any man - in fact she is a career woman from the start.
A child is born, Joan (first played by Bonita Granville and then by the very capable Betty Furness) but Virgie tearfully hands her over to John and Laura, once again taking a back seat and viewing Joan's milestones from the shadows. There is a subplot involving Virgie's assistant Sadie (Molly O'Day was still quite young but she had had her best role in "The Patent Leather Kid" 7 years before and a difficulty in keeping a slim figure had damaged her career) and went to point out the hypocrisy of small town life. Sadie longs for the bright lights and is also juggling the attentions of two men, one (Ben Alexander) takes her to the city but they flee back to the town owing $500. He is then shot by his father trying to retrieve evidence that shows Virgie is the real mother of Joan and the next scene shows Sadie hastily accepting another boy's proposal of marriage. Everything happens in this movie and it concludes with a very soggy finale where all is resolved.
Helen Vinson was the actress they turned to when a vindictive other woman was called for - she could play these roles in her sleep. Also Dorothy Sebastian, star of silents and pal of Joan Crawford, had a very small role as Virgie's second assistant.
Good Weepie from the '30s
fsilva16 September 2002
Little remembered great actress Ann Harding, who was also a first magnitude star during a short period with the advent of the talkies, stars in this tearjerker supreme, as noble, good-natured, unselfish, brave, courageous Vergie Winters, who defies small-town gossip, carrying on with an illicit relationship, with now-married ex-sweetheart John Shadwell, played adequately by John Boles, who's better than usual in this role.
Harding's very good and sincere acting makes believable her self sacrifice because of the bigger-than-life love which she feels for both, Shadwell and their illegitimate daughter, Joan.
Helen Vinson is very, very good as Bole's selfish, mean, superficial and ambition-driven (just the very opposite of Vergie) wife, Laura- the face of this now forgotten actress reminds me greatly of Helen Hayes'. Josephine Whittwell is also very good as sympathetic Madame Claire, who in the film is implied to be sort of the owner or `madam' of the local `bordello', who's also friendly to Harding and helps to save her small hat store (she's the local milliner) from bankruptcy. Cecil Cunnigham and Maidel Turner shine too as two local fellow professional gossipers.
Mick La Salle, in his book `Complicated Women' states that this film was released the week before the Production Code was finally fully enforced. A must see for fans of classic pre-code weepies.
Harding's very good and sincere acting makes believable her self sacrifice because of the bigger-than-life love which she feels for both, Shadwell and their illegitimate daughter, Joan.
Helen Vinson is very, very good as Bole's selfish, mean, superficial and ambition-driven (just the very opposite of Vergie) wife, Laura- the face of this now forgotten actress reminds me greatly of Helen Hayes'. Josephine Whittwell is also very good as sympathetic Madame Claire, who in the film is implied to be sort of the owner or `madam' of the local `bordello', who's also friendly to Harding and helps to save her small hat store (she's the local milliner) from bankruptcy. Cecil Cunnigham and Maidel Turner shine too as two local fellow professional gossipers.
Mick La Salle, in his book `Complicated Women' states that this film was released the week before the Production Code was finally fully enforced. A must see for fans of classic pre-code weepies.
Surprisingly ambitious morality tale for 1934
vincentlynch-moonoi27 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I rarely watch films made before 1932. But between 1933 and 1935, American got much better. The technical quality was often much better, and so were the scripts. You just have to start watching to see if a particular film of that period has reached a level of sophistication. This film not only was sophisticated...beyond its time...but was a significant morality tale fortunately made before the Code came in...otherwise it wouldn't have worked half as well. Unfortunately, I found the soundtrack distracting, and I needed to tune up the volume to hear the diction clearly. Aside from that, I really liked this film. Hey, it had to be good if it was condemned by the Catholic Church! Vergie Winters (Ann Harding) is a milliner, and is quite successful in her community...and well liked. She is in love with John Shadwell, played by John Boles. Unfortunately, for a bribe her father told tales to nix a marriage and Shadwell -- on his way to a national political career -- marries another woman...but remains in love with Vergie. And they have many trysts. The jealous wife bides her time, more interested in her position than love. Winters bears Shadwell a child...out of town, of course, and the baby girl is adopted by Shadwell and his wife. Then on the eve of the girl's wedding (years later), Shadwell's wife lets the story unravel to the adopted daughter. That works out alright. But Shadwell goes to Winters and then...well, I best not go any further, but there are some good twists and turns as the film reaches climax. It's sudsy drama for its time.
Ann Harding is excellent here, as is John Boles. An interesting aspect of the film is that in certain places, a variety of characters are "heard thinking". A good way to advance the plot, and cleverly done.
I give this film kudos and a strong "7". I think you'll like it.
Ann Harding is excellent here, as is John Boles. An interesting aspect of the film is that in certain places, a variety of characters are "heard thinking". A good way to advance the plot, and cleverly done.
I give this film kudos and a strong "7". I think you'll like it.
old time story told right before the film code rushed in
ksf-29 March 2019
Anne Harding is "Vergie", who gets caught up with married man John Shadwell (john Boles). Lon Chaney Junior is in here as Hugo. The film opens with a funeral march down main street, and Vergie appears to be in prison, and... suddenly we're in flashback ! was Shadwell just her lawyer, or was it more than that? Shadwell is running for congress, and obviously a scandal would hurt his chances and career. and this all takes place before, during, and after WW One. there's a baby, that pops up out of no-where, and is being raised by Shadwell. It's a love story where Vergie must love him from afar. she watches it all from the sidelines. and to make things interesting, This was all on the "verge" of the film code, so they could only say so much in the film. in another year, it would be forbidden to even show such human issues and talk about such things. The truth all comes out when the baby is grown up and about to be married. Pretty good story! it all comes back full circle by the end. an old time story, told right before the production code white-washed everything. shows on Turner Classic. Directed by Al Santell.
So Idealized I Wish It Were True
mickkarger29 May 2015
Okay, I know this is a dated, old fashioned film, made transcendent by the always radiant Ann Harding. Would a woman today sacrifice herself the way Virgie did? I very much doubt it. But it's idealization of such sacrifice really touched me...perhaps because I know how unrealistic it is to expect such behavior today, or even then. Still. I love this film. I'd never seen it before today, March 29, 2015, thanks to who else? TCM, of course. I thought I'd seen every Ann Harding movie ever made... again, thanks to TCM...but they must have made a zillion movies during the 30s, because almost every week, new one turn up...new for me, that is. Bless you TCM...and bless you Ann Hadding, wherever you are...
Valiant is the word for Ann
bkoganbing5 March 2019
This rather dated soap opera shows star Ann Harding as a truly noble woman
sacrificing all for the man she loves out of wedlock John Boles. Harding made
many of these kinds of films as the noble sufferer and Boles was typecast in
many of these parts as the philandering husband after the success he had in Back
Street.
Harding is our title character and she's in love with Boles who sadly is most married to socialite Helen Vinson. Vinson was another who took out a patent on the 'other' woman roles in the 30s. Boles is an up and coming politician rising to the House of Representatives and the Senate. The two have a kid who grows up to be Bonita Granville. But she's adopted by Boles and Vinson.
Boles's political enemies can never get quite get the goods on him, but rumors abound and a lot of 'decent' folks shun Harding and her millinery shop. Still he rises in politics.
The climax is one of those over the top screen moments not to be missed. Can't reveal what it is, but the screen explodes in emotion.
Walter Brennan is unbilled but has a marvelous part as the town snoop who can't wait to unload a juicy bit of gossip for a few drinks at the pub.
The Life Of Vergie Winters is most dated and unlikely to be remade. It still has some good moments.
Harding is our title character and she's in love with Boles who sadly is most married to socialite Helen Vinson. Vinson was another who took out a patent on the 'other' woman roles in the 30s. Boles is an up and coming politician rising to the House of Representatives and the Senate. The two have a kid who grows up to be Bonita Granville. But she's adopted by Boles and Vinson.
Boles's political enemies can never get quite get the goods on him, but rumors abound and a lot of 'decent' folks shun Harding and her millinery shop. Still he rises in politics.
The climax is one of those over the top screen moments not to be missed. Can't reveal what it is, but the screen explodes in emotion.
Walter Brennan is unbilled but has a marvelous part as the town snoop who can't wait to unload a juicy bit of gossip for a few drinks at the pub.
The Life Of Vergie Winters is most dated and unlikely to be remade. It still has some good moments.
Oh no not again
malcolmgsw7 November 2007
Warning: Spoilers
It is little wonder that RKO was in such a financial mess in 1934 when this film came out.It is difficult to believe that depression audiences would have wanted to see such turgid drama with a downbeat ending.Furthermore the components of this film were interchangeable with other such film adaptations of the period such as Madame X Back Street Stella Dallas.The lead actresses were also interchangeable such as Ruth Chatterton,Irene Dunne or Kay Fwancis.Up to 1934 there was always an illegitimate baby involved and more often than not the child was adopted by the father often in a loveless marriage which often involved subsequent blackmail and violent death.To me this is just movie-making by numbers.So this film is of historic interest coming at the end of the pre code era but if you have seen other films by one of the sob sisters you will know what is going to happen one reel before it happens.
Decent Melodrama, If Sentimental at Times
Snow Leopard25 September 2001
This is a pretty good melodrama, mostly believable and with pretty good characters. Most of the time it maintains a decent balance, only occasionally becoming a bit too sentimental or heavy-handed. The main character's career as a milliner is worked into the story in some useful and interesting ways.
Ann Harding plays Vergie, who is in love with a married politician played by John Boles. A few of the developments and characters' attitudes reflect the era in which the film was made, but the primary dilemmas faced by the two leads would be largely the same in any setting. There are quite a few secondary characters, and some are extraneous, but some of them are good additions to the story. The supporting cast includes some good character actors (and watch also for an uncredited but amusing appearance by Walter Brennan).
It moves fairly quickly, and the story has enough to hold your interest and make it worth a look if you're interested in a somewhat sentimental story.
Ann Harding plays Vergie, who is in love with a married politician played by John Boles. A few of the developments and characters' attitudes reflect the era in which the film was made, but the primary dilemmas faced by the two leads would be largely the same in any setting. There are quite a few secondary characters, and some are extraneous, but some of them are good additions to the story. The supporting cast includes some good character actors (and watch also for an uncredited but amusing appearance by Walter Brennan).
It moves fairly quickly, and the story has enough to hold your interest and make it worth a look if you're interested in a somewhat sentimental story.
Definite proof that films in 'the good old days' weren't as squeaky clean as you thought!
planktonrules4 November 2019
Many people today have no idea that films in the early 1930s were very sleazy--even sleazier in some cases as films today. While there was some rare nudity in these films, the saucy content is what really surprises! Imagine....many of these pictures had gay characters, premarital sex was okay, abortion was not unheard of AND adultery was occasionally romanticized....such as in "The Life of Vergie Winters".
When the film begins, John Shadwell (John Boles) had just married Laura. This is a bit of a surprise, as John had been dating Vergie (Ann Harding) and you assume he married as he did because Laura would be more beneficial to his political aspirations. Later, you learn that his family paid off Vergie's father to break off the relationship...again, because Vergie isn't the ideal congressman's wife. So how do John and Vergie deal with this? They have a lifelong affair...and Vergie seems like a giant doormat. She expects nothing and takes nothing from John (other than his.....) and when she becomes pregnant with his baby, she gives it to John and Laura to raise. Eventually, she and John get old and John assumes room temperature...and the movie ends.
I guess I am just a very conservative guy when it comes to marriage and a film glamorizing adultery and excusing it just doesn't appeal to me. The film is well acted but is also very schmaltzy and dull.
When the film begins, John Shadwell (John Boles) had just married Laura. This is a bit of a surprise, as John had been dating Vergie (Ann Harding) and you assume he married as he did because Laura would be more beneficial to his political aspirations. Later, you learn that his family paid off Vergie's father to break off the relationship...again, because Vergie isn't the ideal congressman's wife. So how do John and Vergie deal with this? They have a lifelong affair...and Vergie seems like a giant doormat. She expects nothing and takes nothing from John (other than his.....) and when she becomes pregnant with his baby, she gives it to John and Laura to raise. Eventually, she and John get old and John assumes room temperature...and the movie ends.
I guess I am just a very conservative guy when it comes to marriage and a film glamorizing adultery and excusing it just doesn't appeal to me. The film is well acted but is also very schmaltzy and dull.
A married politician who is secretly carrying on with another woman...could such a thing ever actually occur?!
planktonrules26 May 2019
Back in the early 1930s, Hollywood had a rigid production code...at least in writing. However, studios routinely ignored it and stories that were very risquee were common....and a few even featured nudity. Because there was no rating system and anyone could attend any movie, there were a lot of valid concerns about the sorts of tales coming to local theaters. Instead of using a rating system, groups like the Legion of Decency called for sanitizing movies and getting rid of 'objectionable material'. At first Hollywood ignored this and similar groups...until attendance dropped as a result of these protests. So, reluctantly, in July, 1934 a new, tough Production Code was enacted...eliminating not just truly objectionable material but even things which normal folks didn't mind seeing in movies at all. Now, gay characters, adultery plots, unpunished violence and even the word 'pregnant' were removed from scripts...all in the name of decency. One of the last films to slip in to theaters before the Code was "The Life of Vergie Winter"...a film condemned by the Legion and which features a pro-adultery plot!
Vergie (Ann Harding) is in love with married John Shadwell (John Boles) and vice-versa. However, John is interested in a career in politics and having a mistress would destroy any chance at his getting elected. And, once she becomes pregnant, things get even more complicated! What's next? See for yourself...just understand that it heavily romanticizes adultery. Overall, a film which not only offended folks back in the day but is a genuinely poor movie because it is so simpering and sappy....to the point where it all just seems ridiculous.
Vergie (Ann Harding) is in love with married John Shadwell (John Boles) and vice-versa. However, John is interested in a career in politics and having a mistress would destroy any chance at his getting elected. And, once she becomes pregnant, things get even more complicated! What's next? See for yourself...just understand that it heavily romanticizes adultery. Overall, a film which not only offended folks back in the day but is a genuinely poor movie because it is so simpering and sappy....to the point where it all just seems ridiculous.
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