Ladies They Talk About

Am a fan of films from the 1930s and have for a while loved Barbara Stanwyck and many of her performances (regardless of what the rest of the film is like). Have always liked any film crime-related, with mystery, thriller and crime being my preferred genres (adore animation too but there is debate as to whether to class that as a genre) and there are a lot of good melodramas and good films that mix the two. Am somewhat less keen on Preston Foster though.

'Ladies They Talk About' is a very uneven film and not a particularly great one. If anything it is more a slightly above mixed feelings kind of film for me. There is a lot to recommend and it was interesting to see a depiction of life in a women prison, even if it won't ring true for a lot of people (best judging it on its own terms). Despite the improbable story and the even more improbable ending, Stanwyck, most of the supporting performances and the script elevate.

There are plenty of good things with 'Ladies They Talk About'. It is well made, with a good deal of style and atmosphere. It is good that 'Ladies They Talk About' doesn't go on for too long and it never felt dull to me. It is an entertaining film with some nice acid comedy and the melodrama generally doesn't go over the top, despite going off the boil towards the end. The crime element is intriguing and doesn't play second fiddle too much, and the look at life in a women prison is sincere enough.

Stanwyck gives a cool lead performance that leaves one riveted, while not being as intense compared to usual. She gets great supporting turns from Ruth Donnelly, Lyle Talbot and particularly Lillian Roth, their chemistry being the most interesting and having the most growth.

Was far less convinced by Foster, who makes absolutely no impact in a preposterous role that is the sketchiest in 'Ladies They Talk About'. He has no real chemistry with Stanwyck and their subplot is very developed.

Moreover, the story is highly unlikely and sometimes silly and while well-intentioned the portrayal of prison life is almost too idealised. And there were films in the 30s and throughout the decades pre-70s that did have an ahead of the time grim, uncompromising and realistic portrayal of prison life, such as 'The Big House'. Worst of all is the improble and cop-out ending, which is far too out of the blue (a sudden change of decision and opinion just like that), too hasty in pace and it makes no sense compared to what happens throughout the rest of the film. This was studio-interference-like and almost insulting.

In a nutshell, worth a one time look but not great. 6/10

Early Barbara Stanwyck who is about as bad as they get. She participates in a bank robbery, manipulates men, lies, and gets sent up to the big house. Plot is somewhat far fetched with little character development other than for Barbara. Story revolves around whether Barbara will again allow Preston Foster to try to save her after trusting him once and having him fail to live up to her expectations. Stanwyck is patterned after the real life experiences and play by Dorothy Mackaye who repeats the formula in Lady Gangster (1942). This movie is worth watching to see the early Stanwyck or the depiction of woman's prison life. Apparently women inmates were allowed to fix up their rooms real nice and change from prison clothes into street clothes during visiting hours -- or so Hollywood would tell us. Sure would have made it easier to escape!

Barbara Stanwyck as a beautiful gun moll who helps her gang commit an armed bank robbery, then gets herself arrested. A young reformer who speaks in front of an "old-fashioned revival" believes in her innocence and tries to help her as they both are from the same hometown and, well, she's not past using her looks to get what she wants. But when, for some reason that I couldn't quite figure out, she actually admits to him she was part of the hold-up, he then assists in sending her to San Quentin. Soon our gal is the "new fish" in prison, and this is a women's prison like no other - if it weren't for the appearance of some older women prisoners in the mix, this would almost look a private girl's school rather than the state Penn! Lounge rocking chairs, newspapers, card games, a "greenhouse" area, a hair stylist, manicures, the "ladies bird club", phonograph record players, and outside - "the sun yard", a regular garden spot. These women can wear their own slinky negligees at night and play records in their room - and one older inmate actually is allowed to keep her own little "lap dog" - h'm.

This film is pretty good - the portrayal of the prison so far-fetched it's actually kind of a hoot to watch. I notice the male prisoners (on the other side of the prison) don't seem to have the same conditions as the women as they are shown in regular jail cells with bars. Anyway, Barbara Stanwyck, one of my favorite actresses from that era, gives her usual star performance and acts up a storm - just great as she plays the world-wise gal who'll play hard ball to get what she wants. A really fun film.

Nan Taylor (Barbara Stanwyck) is caught trying to help three men rob a bank. She sweet talks an innocent, powerful man David Slade (Preston Foster) into defending her, but confesses at the last minute. She's sent to prison and plots her revenge. The prison has a lesbian (shown once), a black prisoner who actually has lines (very surprising for the 1930s), a bird that terrorizes the inmates (don't ask), catfights and some pretty elaborate cells for the women. It makes prison seem like a great place to be!

A definite one of a kind with some pretty risque (for 1933) lines and situations. Barbara Stanwyck is just great in the title role. She tears into it and gives it her all--especially at the end. Lillian Roth also is very good as a fellow prisoner. As for Foster--he's tall and handsome...that's about it, but he fulfills his role.

Tough, fun, very quick (69 minutes) pre-Code movie. Definetely worth a look.

Don't expect much in the way of pre-Code titillation with this simple film adapted from a play. What you do get is a starring vehicle for Barbara Stanwyck, who plays the moll of a gang who robs banks.

After being apprehended, she is sent to San Quentin, where she learns to live with prison rules and the social structure there. She's a tough cookie, always looking to assert herself, even on her first day of captivity.

Except for the presence of guards, life as depicted in the women's prison is much like "Stage Door", with a leisurely, genial attitude. Comic touches abound in this film, like the scene where one inmate sings to a headshot of Joe E. Brown, of all people.

While Stanwyck is strong in her role and Preston Foster is solid in his briefer portrayal of the revivalist who never gives up on her, "Ladies They Talk About" has a story too simple to challenge the viewer or, for that matter, the actors themselves. And the drama is minimal.

But it's fun to see Stanwyck in one of her earlier films.