A weak script and far-fetched story prevents this, Barbara Stanwyck's first film, from being memorable. She's nice to look at, but if she's supposed to be Mexican (which is never confirmed), it's a ridiculous piece of casting. Supposedly a "border town gal", she could be of mixed blood, but nothing about her background is really explained. At least she didn't attempt an accent or wear darker make-up, so this makes me question how this story passed muster.
With a very East US accent, she's not even from a border town. Stanwyck, only 22, plays a trampy girl who cheats on her much older lover (Sam Hardy) and is kicked out of town. When she sees him again, she's married to his younger brother (William Janney) and seems to still be trampy. Stanwyck at least comes off as fiery, yet lacks the confidence and sparkle that would turn her into a screen legend. More of a curious antique, it's still difficult to watch in knowing what was yet to come, and very creaky with hissing sound, a non-moving camera, and faded with years of neglect. There are lots of filler scenes that are not plot related, which means that at only an hour, perhaps 45 minutes covered plot.
With a very East US accent, she's not even from a border town. Stanwyck, only 22, plays a trampy girl who cheats on her much older lover (Sam Hardy) and is kicked out of town. When she sees him again, she's married to his younger brother (William Janney) and seems to still be trampy. Stanwyck at least comes off as fiery, yet lacks the confidence and sparkle that would turn her into a screen legend. More of a curious antique, it's still difficult to watch in knowing what was yet to come, and very creaky with hissing sound, a non-moving camera, and faded with years of neglect. There are lots of filler scenes that are not plot related, which means that at only an hour, perhaps 45 minutes covered plot.