Woman Wanted (1935)

good back-story, and good acting

Don't Believe the Hype

Boring

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Fast-paced, if rather muddled, programmer from MGM. The stars - McCrea & O'Sullivan - prove more likable than the story. Seems O'Sullivan's slated for execution for a murder she didn't commit. However, she's sprung for unknown reasons by a racketeer, and aided in her escape by lawyer McCrea. Together, they thread through a series of escapes from the cops and gangsters. But will she ever be cleared of the murder.The story's played in fairly light-hearted fashion and is occasionally amusing, especially when the fetching O'Sullivan plays hide-and-seek with McCrea's feisty fiancée (Ames) in his apartment. Also, relative unknown Robert Greig scores humorously as the butler Peebles. Then too, director Seitz manages to helpfully cover up much of the murky narrative with fast pacing. However, it surprises me that ritzy MGM didn't come up with better projection screens for the action shots behind both boats and cars. All in all, the movie fails to rise above programmer status, even though the two leads show how ready they are for bigger and better things.

I watched this movie mostly to see Maureen O'Sullivan and Joel McCrea starring together. Both of them are all but forgotten in today's world and they're not thought of as 'A' list classic Hollywood stars. However in 1935 both were at the top of their game, starring and co-starring in one movie after another. This MGM suspense/murder mystery/action film was a lot more entertaining than I expected. It moves at a fast pace and the script is pretty tight. O'Sullivan is the last actress you'd expect to see as a wanted murderess but that's exactly why it works. She's vulnerable yet tough and has the ability to say so much with her facial expressions, let alone the dialogue. McCrea as the dashing lawyer that comes to her aid is perfect. He's his usual, cool, everyman self, even though he's the hero throughout. I've always liked that about his performances, anything he does he makes believable. Try to catch it the next time it's on TCM.

Maureen O'Sullivan was beautiful. She was a fine actress as well. And Joel McCrea was one of the most handsome, versatile actors of the 1930s and forties. He did well settling into Westerns after that but I always feel it was the movie world's loss.These two don't have a whole lot of chemistry here but they work well individually. Louise Calhere is as always fine as a sleazy underworld figure, too.The cinematography of Charles Clarke -- not someone generally associated with film noir in later years -- is beautiful. It employs a lot of exciting shadows.The movie is part crime drama, part romance, and a little bit comedy. My preference is for movies that stick with one or another of these genres. But "Woman Wanted" works on its own terms: It has sinister moments. It's suspenseful. And we root for the lead couple.

Always enjoyed viewing Maureen O'Sullivan when she played "Jane" in the Tarzan films in the 30's and 40's. In this film, she plays a young gal with a big cloud over her head from a horrible court room decision. Maureen, plays Ann Gray," Never Too Late",'65, who comes into contact with Joel McCrea,(Anthony,"Tony" Baxter), "The Virginian",'45, who plays a hot shot ladies man lawyer in this picture, and not a cowboy. However, Louis Calhern,(Smiley Gordon),"Blackboard Jungle",'55 plays the crooked crime lord who wants to make certain that Ann Gray is not put into jail for his own personal reasons. This is a well produced B&W film and truly a great classic. Maureen O'Sullivan, made this film a classic and also the mother of Mia Farrow and her father John Farrow all outstanding actors and producers. Enjoy the 1930's.