Woman Wanted

Always enjoyed viewing Maureen O'Sullivan when she played "Jane" in the Tarzan films in the 30's and 40's. In this film, she plays a young gal with a big cloud over her head from a horrible court room decision. Maureen, plays Ann Gray," Never Too Late",'65, who comes into contact with Joel McCrea,(Anthony,"Tony" Baxter), "The Virginian",'45, who plays a hot shot ladies man lawyer in this picture, and not a cowboy. However, Louis Calhern,(Smiley Gordon),"Blackboard Jungle",'55 plays the crooked crime lord who wants to make certain that Ann Gray is not put into jail for his own personal reasons. This is a well produced B&W film and truly a great classic. Maureen O'Sullivan, made this film a classic and also the mother of Mia Farrow and her father John Farrow all outstanding actors and producers. Enjoy the 1930's.

Ann Graves (Maureen O'Sullivan) is a woman on the run that has been accused of murder who hitches a ride with hot shot lawyer (Tony Baxter). The movie has several interesting characters that makes the journey interesting and entertaining. Maureen O'Sullivan is fantastic and charming and Joel McCrea is a perfect pairing for her. This movie is only 1 hour 15 minutes and if you like classic movies it will be well spent.

Victor J.

Maureen O'Sullivan was beautiful. She was a fine actress as well. And Joel McCrea was one of the most handsome, versatile actors of the 1930s and forties. He did well settling into Westerns after that but I always feel it was the movie world's loss.

These two don't have a whole lot of chemistry here but they work well individually. Louise Calhere is as always fine as a sleazy underworld figure, too.

The cinematography of Charles Clarke -- not someone generally associated with film noir in later years -- is beautiful. It employs a lot of exciting shadows.

The movie is part crime drama, part romance, and a little bit comedy. My preference is for movies that stick with one or another of these genres. But "Woman Wanted" works on its own terms: It has sinister moments. It's suspenseful. And we root for the lead couple.

Maureen O'Sullivan was rarely lovelier than she is as Ann Gray, a convicted murderess who goes on the lam and ends up being helped by do-gooder attorney Joel McCrea. McCrea and O'Sullivan make a wonderful team, but Woman Wanted is an all around success, featuring an amusing and sharply written screenplay and terrific and imaginative photography by Charles Clarke. The film is also extremely well lit and features some truly awesome second unit work, most notably in an early scene involving an auto wreck that gains O'Sullivan her freedom. The leads are ably supported by oily Louis Calhern as bad guy Smiley Gordon and Robert Greig as Peedles, McCrea's extremely loyal manservant. Woman Wanted is terrific and well made fun.

Ann Gray (Maureen O'Sullivan) maintains that she's innocent of murdering her husband. The jury finds her guilty. In fact, mobsters believe that she is hiding the stolen $250k for her husband and they actually were the ones who killed him. They set up an accident for the transport to prison and she is mistakenly picked up by lawyer Tony Baxter (Joel McCrea).

The best part is the combination of Maureen and Joel. They have a good section in the middle. The movie needs more of their connection. I don't think Betty is necessary but she does provide some good scenes early on. Movies back then is only an hour or so. It's not enough time for a lot of complexity. It probably needs to get rid of Betty so that the leads can do more together. The story needs to get simpler and this should be more straight forward.