Felix In Hollywood

A Blog for the Smart Set

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Female. And How!



Ruth Chatterton was born on this date in 1893. She was a diamond of the Pre-Code era, just as sparkling, just as cold, just as hard. The type of character she perfected is evident by the titles of some of her films: Lady Of Scandal, Anybody's Woman, Unfaithful, Once A Lady and Female. Sort of a pissed off Kay Francis.

She will probably be most remembered for being in the original Madam X (1929) and her magnificent turn in the equally magnificent Dodsworth (1936).

In the above trailer for Female, in which she co-starred with then husband George Brent, there is a card that reads, "It takes a real man to handle this type of female".
Well apparently the film suffered from poor casting, as she and Brent were divorced the following year.

Happy Birthday Ruth!

2 comments:

The Mistress said...

"A girl who made a career out of bossing men"

I'm putting that on my resume!

Philip Mershon said...

Naturally, I just assumed that it was already on your resume. Honestly, MJ sometimes you shock me.