Possessed [DVD] [1931] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

Do not confuse this with Joan Crawford's '47 classic, the Oscar nominated role that has became one of Joan's defining pictures. Only an actress who's career spanned 6 decades can play in two pictures, in two different decades with the same title. (BTW, in case you're wondering "Possessed" from 1947 is much better with a totally different plot.) In 1931 Joan stared in 4 major motion pictures, (3 with Clark Gable) and "Possessed" was certainly the one that cemented them in history as one of the most beloved and intriguing movie couples. Because they each had such a genuine endearment and chemistry in this picture. "Possessed" follows the standard Joan Crawford/MGM story...Beautiful girl meets handsome boy, doesn't know what to do about her past;in the end finds happiness... But this picture is especially memorable because MGM teams Joan with Clark Gable. They were always magical to watch together. They both always lit up the screen, because anyone could tell that when Joan looked into Clark Gable's eyes she had fire in hers. Joan's brief comments on the making of this film: Back with Clark, both of us in strong parts, great reviews. Clearance Brown again, thank God. The movie also reminds me of "The Bride Wore Red" (another of Joan's classics) because Marian (Joan's character) decides to reinvent herself as a woman of society to lure her man into her web; she doesn't want anyone to find out her true identity because if they do they will see that she was just a shopgirl who had nothing but a pretty face and a kind heart. "Possessed" will teach you that Joan Crawford can never rape the willing.

"Possessed" was the third film pairing Joan Crawford and Clark Gable and my personal favorite of the duo's.

Crawford plays Marian Martin, a young lady who works at a paper box factory but yearns for more than clocking in and out and marrying the staid but faithful Al Manning (Wallace Ford)whose biggest concern seems to be what flavor of ice cream to bring for dessert. After getting off work one afternoon, she meets the intoxicated but wealthy Wally Stuart (Skeets Gallagher)who stokes the fire of change within Marian, causing her to leave for New York and look him up. Once there, she meets his friend Mark Whitney (Gable), a lawyer who has been burned once by an ex-wife and is not interested in going near the flame again. Mark and Marian begin a relationship, with Marian being redubbed "Mrs. Moreland" in order to protect her reputation. (This being the early 1930s, Marian must have an explanation for her fancy apartment and nice things - - saying she is a wealthy divorcee will prevent any speculation).

Things appear to go swimmingly for Mark and Marian for several years, although Marian longs to marry Mark and Mark's friends question why he doesn't marry her. When Mark decides to run for governor and Marian overhears some well-meaning friends telling him that his relationship with Marian could prove to be an embarrassment, and suggest that he terminate the relationship, Marian does the dirty work for him and tells him that she is going to marry Al Manning, who has managed his way out of the paper box factory and into success with construction. Once Marian tells Al about her relationship with Mark, Al is not interested in having "used goods." All ends well, however, when Mark makes it clear that being governor is not as important as being with Marian.

This movie was very daring for its time. Marian, in the beginning, is nothing short of a gold digger, who knows upon coming to New York that she must become the kept woman of a wealthy man to get what she wants. Atypical for movies of the period, she is not punished for her actions, but rewarded with a fabulous wardrobe (by Adrian), an incredible Park Avenue apartment (by Cedric Gibbons) and a decent man who loves and respects her (and looks like Clark Gable!) Indeed, when the movie was released in 1931, some cities would not screen the flick, considering the movie scandalous and unethical and parents were encouraged to leave the kiddies at home, for such adult fare.

Crawford, wonderfully attired in Adrian's stunning creations, looks absolutely stunning. Forget the Warner Brothers Crawford of the late 1940s, with the harsh mouth and almost mannish features. This Crawford was breathtaking, one that simply seduced the camera. She WAS Marian - - and every other working girl out there that paid hard-earned money to see her films. It was no wonder that the shopgirls loved her so much. If Crawford could rise above the paper box factory and snag Gable, while looking so elegantly attired, so too, perhaps, could they.

Gable, while not in his best role, does what he can with a rather one dimensional part. Rather than coming across as a rakish attorney with a kept woman on the side, who wants to have his cake and eat it too, he seems a sincere man who has been hurt once before and wants to do the right thing by everyone.

Gable and Crawford were, at the time, in the midst of their own extramarital affair and at the height of their passionate love for one another and it does show in this film. The love and affection seems genuine, as does the easiness with which they act together.

While their film "Strange Cargo", released in 1940, got better reviews and is generally considered to be their best picture together, this film is my personal favorite and has a certain tenderness that the other films do not.

As an added bonus, watch for Marian's mother in the beginning of the film - - she is played by Clara Blandick who, in 1939, would go on to immortality playing Judy Garland's Auntie Em in "The Wizard of Oz."

The 1931 drama "Possessed", which was the third onscreen meeting of MGM greats Joan Crawford and Clark Gable, was the film that really put them on the map as an acting team to be reckoned with. It paved the way for many more highly successful teamings of these two legendary performers during the 1930's at MGM. After appearing only briefly in one of Joan Crawford's earlier 1931 starring vehicles "Dance Fools Dance", Gable made such an impression on both the audience and the powers at MGM with his onscreen chemistry with Crawford that they were repeatedly teamed to great effect in many dramas and even screwball comedies. "Possessed", was definately one of their better teamings and stands up beautifully even today with it's potent dialogue and believable characters.

The story of "Possessed", is in many ways classic Joan Crawford material detailing as it does the rise of a disgruntled factory worker in a small American town to the heights of Park Avenue society and power, with all the wealth, intrigue, men and romance that goes with it. Joan plays Marian Martin a girl seemingly doomed to a dull life as an employee in a small town paper factory. Marion however possesses an inner drive the tells her she is cut out for more in life than the thankless existence she currently endures. Inspired by the sight of the wealthy life enjoyed by others on a train passing through town Marian decides to take the plunge and leave the awful existence she leads including the man who hopes to marry her Al Manning (Wallace Ford) and travel to New York in search of a better life. Once there Marian makes the acquaintance of rising young lawyer Mark Whitney who is being touted as the next governer of New York. Mark is instantly attracted to Marian's absolute honesty and yearning for a better existence and very quickly the two become involved in an affair. Due to her humble background the affair is kept quiet and Marian is passed off as wealthy divorcee "Mrs. Moreland". Marian learns the ways of the rich and powerful however things begin to get more complicated after a couple of years have passed when Mark is in line for the govenorship and Al suddenly turns up in New York now successful and determined to marry the still supposedly uninvolved Marian. Seeing the impossible situation she now finds herself in Marian realises that her background and "keep woman status", can only be a liability to Mark's hope of the governor's role after over hearing some of his supporters urging him to get rid of her before the election takes place. She deliberately breaks up with him by pretending to be going off with Al who is "one of her people and of the class she really belongs to", and walks out of his life after a heated argument. Later at one of the election rallies however when Mark's opponents have planted leaflets attacking their earlier relationship Marian rises to Mark's defence and exposes the gossip as the hateful muckraking it undoubtedly is upon which Mark comes after her promising to be with her regardless of what happens in the future.

Being pre code this drama has a pleasingly realistic edge to its dialogue and storyline. In many ways it has an almost curiously modern approach to the material at hand which has allowed this film to age well over time. Joan Crawford and Clark Gable have an incredible screen chemistry in their work together in "Possessed", which helped to make them one of the most successful screen teams of the 1930's decade. Destined to make eight films together "Possessed", shows them as a relatively new teame but the electricity on screen and indeed off as well is very evident. Joan Crawford delivers an extremely balanced performance as Marian. She is just as convincing in the earlier factory scenes as she is in the later Park Avenue ones and her transformation from gauche working girl to society hostess is totally believable. Before he got caught in his "Gable playing Gable" performances Clark Gable is refreshingly restrained playing the politically hopeful Mark Whitney in "Possessed". He displays a real development in his acting from earlier acting efforts even that same year and "Possessed", put him on the road to superstardom before another year was out. Directed with a sure hand by talented Clarence Brown the material and performances are mature and underplayed throughout making this a viewing experience to cherish. Joan Crawford also noticeably underwent a transformation in this role appearing far more beautiful and sophisticated than in her previous work and complimented greatly by the artistry of the legendary Adrian who designed her stunning wardrobe in "Possessed", to great effect. All the great MGM expertise in every department are evident in this production with Cedric Gibbon's stunning New York interiors in particular a real stand out.

"Possessed", is one of the better Crawford/Gable teamings and all lovers of these performers work should not miss this film. While it contains certain elements that are a part of each performers established screen persona the formula here is not so confining yet to stifle the individuality that each brings to their characters. Crawford and Gable on screen is what Hollywood chemistry is all about and it's always a pleasure to see this great romantic team perform together. Enjoy Crawford and Gable electrify the screen in MGM's "Possessed".