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Fatal Lady

  • 19361936
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 13m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
48
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Mary Ellis and Walter Pidgeon in Fatal Lady (1936)
  • Musical
  • Mystery
  • Romance
On her debut as an opera star, Mary Stuart is interrogated and possibly implicated in the death of a male acquaintance. Released, although thoroughly shaken-up, Mary attempts to perform but ... Read allOn her debut as an opera star, Mary Stuart is interrogated and possibly implicated in the death of a male acquaintance. Released, although thoroughly shaken-up, Mary attempts to perform but loses her voice onstage. Humiliated, but driven to sing, she travels to South America unde... Read allOn her debut as an opera star, Mary Stuart is interrogated and possibly implicated in the death of a male acquaintance. Released, although thoroughly shaken-up, Mary attempts to perform but loses her voice onstage. Humiliated, but driven to sing, she travels to South America under the assumed name of Maria Delasano, and works in an opera company under the tutelage of ... Read all
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
48
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Edward Ludwig
  • Writers
    • Harry Segall(original story)
    • Samuel Ornitz(screenplay)
    • Horace McCoy(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Mary Ellis
    • Walter Pidgeon
    • John Halliday
Top credits
  • Director
    • Edward Ludwig
  • Writers
    • Harry Segall(original story)
    • Samuel Ornitz(screenplay)
    • Horace McCoy(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Mary Ellis
    • Walter Pidgeon
    • John Halliday
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 2User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    John Halliday and Edgar Kennedy in Fatal Lady (1936)
    Mary Ellis in Fatal Lady (1936)
    Add photo

    Top cast

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    Mary Ellis
    Mary Ellis
    • Marion Stuartas Marion Stuart…
    Walter Pidgeon
    Walter Pidgeon
    • David Robertsas David Roberts
    John Halliday
    John Halliday
    • Martan Fontesas Martan Fontes
    Ruth Donnelly
    Ruth Donnelly
    • Melba Yorkas Melba York
    Alan Mowbray
    Alan Mowbray
    • Uberto Mallaas Uberto Malla
    Guy Bates Post
    Guy Bates Post
    • Feodor Glinkaas Feodor Glinka
    Samuel S. Hinds
    Samuel S. Hinds
    • Guili Ruffanoas Guili Ruffano
    Norman Foster
    Norman Foster
    • Phillip Robertsas Phillip Roberts
    Edgar Kennedy
    Edgar Kennedy
    • Rudolf Hochstetteras Rudolf Hochstetter
    Jean Rouverol
    Jean Rouverol
    • Anitaas Anita
    Enrique Acosta
    • Paris Cafe Guestas Paris Cafe Guest
    • (uncredited)
    Virginia Ainsworth
    • Brazilian Opera Troupeas Brazilian Opera Troupe
    • (uncredited)
    Mariska Aldrich
    • Brazilian Opera Troupeas Brazilian Opera Troupe
    • (uncredited)
    Russ Bell
    • Cab Driveras Cab Driver
    • (uncredited)
    Ward Bond
    Ward Bond
    • American Stage Manageras American Stage Manager
    • (uncredited)
    Eugene Borden
    • Detectiveas Detective
    • (uncredited)
    Maurice Brierre
    • Chauffeuras Chauffeur
    • (uncredited)
    Don Brodie
    Don Brodie
    • French Waiteras French Waiter
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Edward Ludwig
    • Writers
      • Harry Segall(original story)
      • Samuel Ornitz(screenplay)
      • Horace McCoy(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    On her debut as an opera star, Mary Stuart is interrogated and possibly implicated in the death of a male acquaintance. Released, although thoroughly shaken-up, Mary attempts to perform but loses her voice onstage. Humiliated, but driven to sing, she travels to South America under the assumed name of Maria Delasano, and works in an opera company under the tutelage of Feodor Glinka, who wants her to shun men and save herself for her art. Mary resists the persistent attentions of wealthy young Phil Roberts, who follows the company in hopes of marrying her. Phil's brother David distrusts her lack of interest in Phil, believing it to be a ploy to entrap him for his wealth. After a successful performance, Mary is courted by Uberto Malla, a wealthy patron, and Martan Fontes, director of an opera company in Rio. Malla proposes to Maria and offers her a position in the company in Rio, but she declines. While they are play-acting a scene, Malla is killed, and Mary is suspected as the murderer. She is acquitted, however, and travels with her agents Melba York and Rudy Hochstetter to Paris, with the hopeful Phil in tow. The negative publicity surrounding the murder has reduced Mary to performing in a nightclub as "Malevo, Siren of Song." Although Mary is adamant in her rejection, Phil persists in pursuing her until he is killed while waiting in a car for David. Seeing a connection between the marriage proposals and the murders, David poses as Mary's new suitor to trap the murderer, whom they suspect to be Fontes. The ruse works, and after falling from a catwalk over the stage, the murderer is revealed to be Glinka, who confesses before his death. Mary and David are united in love.
    • deception
    • humiliation
    • grief
    • interrogated
    • tough audience
    • 12 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • A Dangerous Woman-a Vengeful Lover-Involved in a Baffling Murder! (Print Ad- New York Post, ((New York, NY)) 9 July 1936)
    • Genres
      • Musical
      • Mystery
      • Romance
    • Certificate
      • Passed
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      One of over 700 Paramount Productions, filmed between 1929 and 1949, which were sold to MCA/Universal in 1958 for television distribution, and have been owned and controlled by Universal ever since.
    • Soundtracks
      Je Vous Adore
      by Sam Coslow and Victor Young

    User reviews2

    Review
    Top review
    Mary Ellis Runs from Bad Luck
    Opera singer Marion Stuart (Mary Ellis) is about to make her starring debut in New York when she's questioned about the death of a friend in Texas. She flops and flees to Brazil where she works under an assumed name in the chorus. She gets another chance to star in an opera but she's implicated in another murder. This time she flees to Paris where she sings in a nightclub as Maleveo, Siren of Song. But bad luck continues to pursue her.

    She's also stalked by a rich young man (Norman Foster) and his disapproving brother (Walter Pidgeon) as she careens from job to job. The older brother believes she is guilty until....

    Ellis is terrific as the plagued singer, and Pidgeon is solid as the reluctant leading man. Co-stars include John Halliday as the arts patron, Edgar Kennedy as the manager, Ruth Donnelly as his wife, Guy Bates Post as Glinka, and Frank Puglia as Felipe.

    This is one of three 1930s films Mary Ellis starred in at Paramount. She also starred in 2 British films in the 1930s but was more successful on Broadway and the operatic stage.
    helpful•6
    0
    • drednm
    • May 9, 2016

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 15, 1936 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Vita orchidéer
    • Filming locations
      • Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Walter Wanger Productions
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 13 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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    Mary Ellis and Walter Pidgeon in Fatal Lady (1936)
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