The Crash (film)
Encyclopedia
The Crash is a 1932 drama film
directed by William Dieterle
. The film is based on the 1932 novel Children of Pleasure written by Larry Barretto, and stars Ruth Chatterton
as a luxury loving wife devastated by the crash of 1929
.
Fair soon grows suspicious of Linda's intentions and refuses to divulge any information on the direction of the stock market
. Not wanting to admit that she was unable to manipulate men by charming them any longer, Linda lies to her husband about the strength of the market. Shortly later, Geoffry loses all of his money because of the Wall Street Crash of 1929
. Impoverished, Linda, who is unaware of the financial situation, is sent by her husband to live in Bermuda
. There, she is romanced by Ronnie Sanderson, an Australian sheep rancher.
Ronnie proposes Linda to live with him in Australia, but she hesitates to, feeling Australia has nothing to offer her. However, when she learns about her husband having become broke, she is eager to profit from Ronnie in every way possible. Ronnie, who has found out about Linda's reason behind her flirtations, shows no longer any interest in her. Linda is able to manipulate Ronnie into falling for her and he expresses his interest in marrying her if she first returns to New York City to divorce her husband.
Once in New York and announcing the divorce, Geoffrey reacts in laughter, telling her she will never marry a sheep rancher. Meanwhile, Linda's maid Celeste steals Linda's juwelry to save her boyfriend Arthur from jail. Linda now realizes she is completely broke and lands a job as a clothing store's clerk. She is surprised by a visit from Ronnie, who insists on taking her to Australia immediately. Geoffrey, who is not willing to let go his wife, warns Ronnie about Linda's spoiled character, but Ronnie does not feel threatened.
On the evening Linda is leaving, Geoffrey confronts Fair with losing all of his money because of Fair's supposed statement to Linda. They initially quarrel, but in the end, Geoffrey receives some of the money he lost as a borrow. Back home, he receives a visit from Linda, who initially has come to say goodbye. They realize the faults they have made in the past and are reconciled.
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
directed by William Dieterle
William Dieterle
William Dieterle was a German actor and film director, who worked in Hollywood for much of his career. His best known films include The Devil and Daniel Webster, The Story of Louis Pasteur and The Hunchback of Notre Dame...
. The film is based on the 1932 novel Children of Pleasure written by Larry Barretto, and stars Ruth Chatterton
Ruth Chatterton
Ruth Chatterton was an American actress, novelist, and early aviatrix.- Early life :Chatterton was born in New York City, on Christmas Eve 1892, to Walter Smith and Lillian Reed Chatterton...
as a luxury loving wife devastated by the crash of 1929
Wall Street Crash of 1929
The Wall Street Crash of 1929 , also known as the Great Crash, and the Stock Market Crash of 1929, was the most devastating stock market crash in the history of the United States, taking into consideration the full extent and duration of its fallout...
.
Plot
Linda Gault, once a member of a struggling family, nowadays is a philandering elitist by marriage who casually seduces men for their money. Her husband Geoffrey has found out about his wife's infidelities, and benefits from it by encouraging Linda to collect investment recommendations from one of her lovers, high profile financier John Fair. Linda is unamused with her husband's desire, claiming that finances have killed their loving marriage. Nevertheless, she does as her husband asks her to, and afterwards feels ashamed about it.Fair soon grows suspicious of Linda's intentions and refuses to divulge any information on the direction of the stock market
Stock market
A stock market or equity market is a public entity for the trading of company stock and derivatives at an agreed price; these are securities listed on a stock exchange as well as those only traded privately.The size of the world stock market was estimated at about $36.6 trillion...
. Not wanting to admit that she was unable to manipulate men by charming them any longer, Linda lies to her husband about the strength of the market. Shortly later, Geoffry loses all of his money because of the Wall Street Crash of 1929
Wall Street Crash of 1929
The Wall Street Crash of 1929 , also known as the Great Crash, and the Stock Market Crash of 1929, was the most devastating stock market crash in the history of the United States, taking into consideration the full extent and duration of its fallout...
. Impoverished, Linda, who is unaware of the financial situation, is sent by her husband to live in Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
. There, she is romanced by Ronnie Sanderson, an Australian sheep rancher.
Ronnie proposes Linda to live with him in Australia, but she hesitates to, feeling Australia has nothing to offer her. However, when she learns about her husband having become broke, she is eager to profit from Ronnie in every way possible. Ronnie, who has found out about Linda's reason behind her flirtations, shows no longer any interest in her. Linda is able to manipulate Ronnie into falling for her and he expresses his interest in marrying her if she first returns to New York City to divorce her husband.
Once in New York and announcing the divorce, Geoffrey reacts in laughter, telling her she will never marry a sheep rancher. Meanwhile, Linda's maid Celeste steals Linda's juwelry to save her boyfriend Arthur from jail. Linda now realizes she is completely broke and lands a job as a clothing store's clerk. She is surprised by a visit from Ronnie, who insists on taking her to Australia immediately. Geoffrey, who is not willing to let go his wife, warns Ronnie about Linda's spoiled character, but Ronnie does not feel threatened.
On the evening Linda is leaving, Geoffrey confronts Fair with losing all of his money because of Fair's supposed statement to Linda. They initially quarrel, but in the end, Geoffrey receives some of the money he lost as a borrow. Back home, he receives a visit from Linda, who initially has come to say goodbye. They realize the faults they have made in the past and are reconciled.
Cast
- Ruth ChattertonRuth ChattertonRuth Chatterton was an American actress, novelist, and early aviatrix.- Early life :Chatterton was born in New York City, on Christmas Eve 1892, to Walter Smith and Lillian Reed Chatterton...
as Linda Gault - George BrentGeorge BrentGeorge Brent was an Irish film and television actor in American cinema.-Early life:He was born George Brendan Nolan in Raharabeg, County Roscommon on the opposite bank of the River Shannon from the town of Shannonbridge, County Offaly, Ireland, the son of a British Army officer.During the Irish...
as Geoffrey Gault - Lois Wilson as Marcia Peterson
- Barbara Leonard as Celeste, the maid
- Paul CavanaghPaul CavanaghPaul Cavanagh was an English film actor. He appeared in over 100 films between 1928 and 1959. He was born in Chislehurst and died in London from a heart attack....
as Ronald 'Ronnie' Sanderson - Henry KolkerHenry KolkerHenry Kolker was an American stage and film actor and director...
as John 'Jack' Fair - Hardie AlbrightHardie AlbrightHardie Albright was an American actor and the son of travelling vaudevillians.Born as Hardie Hunter Albrecht, he made his stage debut in one of his parents' acts at the age of 7....
as Arthur Pringle - Ivan F. Simpson as Hodge, the butler