The hut in the cotton field
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | The hut in the cotton field |
| Original title | The Cabin in the Cotton |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1932 |
| length | 79 minutes |
| Rod | |
| Director | Michael Curtiz |
| script | Paul Green |
| production |
Hal B. Wallis , Jack L. Warner , Darryl F. Zanuck |
| camera | Barney McGill |
| cut | George Amy |
| occupation | |
| |
The Cottage in the Cotton Field is a 1932 American drama directed by Michael Curtiz. The script is based on the novel of the same name by Harry Harrison Kroll. The premiere took place on October 15, 1932. In Germany, the film was released in a television version, which was first broadcast on July 15, 1978 in the third program of the BR .
action
Lane Norwood is the owner of a cotton plantation in the southern United States. He and some other plantation owners lease their land to farmers who have to pay part of the cotton harvest to the owners. In order to meet the tax norm, the farmer Tom Blake should not send his son Marvin to school, but let him work in the field. Tom is outraged. This outrage combined with the hard work makes him collapse. Marvin's father dies that night.
Madge Norwood tells her father that Marvin is a very good student. After the funeral, Norwood lets Marvin go back to school. Marvin is graduating from Norwood's shop as an accountant and manager. Norwood calls on his protégé to side with the plantation owners.
At a birthday party he meets Betty Wright, the daughter of farmer Joe Wright. The two get closer. Joe tells Marvin that Norwood is cheating farmers out of part of their crops. But the farmers have stolen their share back, Marvin is now supposed to sell for them after they have shown him the hiding place. At the same time, Norwood becomes aware of the shortfall in earnings and calls in Prosecutor Carter.
Madge invites Marvin to a party. The festivities at Norwood's house are watched by the impoverished farmers. You can see Marvin being greeted as a guest. He is told by Madge that he should live in Norwood's house from now on. Madge and Marvin kiss.
The next day, Carter informs Norwood about the murder of a plantation owner committed by a farmer. The killer Bill is hunted down with dogs. When he is caught, he begs Marvin for help. But Marvin can't help. Horrified, he watches as Bill is lynched.
When Norwood's business is on fire, Marvin tries to save the financial books. But he finds out that they have been stolen. Norwood believes he is ruined, but Marvin informs him that he has made copies. The following day, Marvin learns that Jake Fisher's sons have been arrested for arson. Jake reminds him of how his father suffered from the workload and tells him to give the farmers copies of the books. Marvin refuses and studies the books himself. He visits Norwood and complains about the high demands that his father also fell victim to. He begins to pack his things, but Madge stops him.
Carter plans a gathering of plantation owners and farmers. He looks for a solution that is acceptable to both parties and seeks help from Marvin. He explains to Marvin that the plantation owners have the economic risk, but the farmers work hard for very little income. Some of the plantation owners agree with the plan. Norwood is against it. Only when Marvin accuses him of cheating on the farmers does he agree to the plan.
Reviews
The lexicon of international films describes the film as "very densely staged in individual scenes, but overall strangely wooden and lifeless." Mordaunt Hall of the New York Times wrote that the film "rarely arouses interest." The main actor Barthelmess acts "cautiously, but hardly inspired. " The direction is " inconsistent and confused. "
background
The costumes for the film were made by Orry-Kelly . The dialogue was directed by William Keighley , who later worked as a director himself . The Vitaphone Orchestra was conducted by Leo F. Forbstein .
Web links
- The cabin in the cotton field in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- Movie posters from USA and Spain