
“The Newest and Greatest All-Talking Motion Picture”
A young, unfaithful wife and mother is thrown out by her cold, unforgiving husband, the Attorney General of France. She is barred from ever seeing her three year old son again despite her earnest attempts to make amends. For many years the mother seeks refuge overseas and in Absinthe. In the end, her son, a young and promising lawyer unknowingly defends her in court. Ruth Chatterton gives a marvelous performance in this early talkie in her portrayal of Madame X.
Release Date: 8/17/1929
Runtime: 95 minutes
Languages: English
Director: Lionel Barrymore
00Companies: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Countries: United States of America
Frank F
A fantastic story and excellent performance, given that this is an early (1929) talkie. Yes, the film suffers from the technical limitations of the time (audio, fixed lenses and single camera shots) as well as an acting style which is in the transition from silent to talkie, but these are fairly easy to overlook. Actually the sound is quite good. Many films suffered from clomping on every footstep, this one does not.
Raymond Floriot

Ruth Chatterton
Jacqueline Floriot

Lewis Stone
Louis Floriot

Raymond Hackett
Raymond Floriot

Sidney Toler
Dr. Merivel

Carroll Nye
Darrell, a Naval Officer

Eugenie Besserer
Rose, Floriot's Servant
Chappell Dossett
Judge

Claude King
Valmorin, the Prosecutor

Richard Carle
Perissard
John P. Edington
Doctor

Mitchell Lewis
Colonel Hanby

Holmes Herbert
Noel
1990