Senator Andrew Jackson, about to become president, and his wife Rachel arrive in Washington and meet many famous people -- Daniel Webster, John Randolph, John C. Cahoun, and, well, just about anybody who's anybody. One of the less famous people the Jacksons meet -- less famous because mostly fictional -- is Joan Crawford, dressed in hoop skirts and dozens of ringlets. Crawford is being courted by three or four young men at the same time. I lost count, but among them are Jimmy Stewart, playing a comic suitor named "Rowdy", and handsome, dashing Robert Taylor as "Bow" Timberlake, a naval officer in a tight, fancy uniform. Suave, aristocratic John Randolph of Virginia is her secret love but he turns her away. Still, he may come around. Everybody is happy. Little do they know tragedy lies just around the corner.
I couldn't stand it. I was hoping for one of Hollywood's semi-educational historical epics with a rip-roaring Andrew Jackson who plunks his muddy boots on his desk and hangs around with low society. Instead I got a soap opera starring Joan Crawford.
Oh, there ARE some historical incidents, but then there HAS to be because the movie must be about something other than men worshiping Joan Crawford. I'll give you an example of how historical events are related to romance.
We see President Andrew Jackson, Lionel Barrymore, looking less like Andrew Jackson than anyone possibly could. He is pacing slowly in his presidential office, dictating to a scribe. "And so, Gentleman, I must insist that the Union remain united and --" The door bursts open and Crawford rushes in, gushing, demanding to speak to "Uncle Andy." Jackson turns to his scribe and orders sternly, "Now write that up in your best handwriting and we'll finish it later." He turns to Crawford, "Now, what is it, my dear?" "Oh, Uncle Andy -- he wants to MARRY me!" The historical stuff can be found folded into the soap opera like raisins buried in a muffin. Each little incident comes as a delightful surprise.
Is the climax, at least, of some political significance? I guess so. The gossip about Joan Crawford comes to a head and Uncle Andy saves her from being shunned by the stuffy old ladies of Washington. Maybe, in a sense, gossip IS politics. Sometimes, today, it certainly seems so.
I can't go on with this. I'm told that too many deep sobs induces strokes.
I couldn't stand it. I was hoping for one of Hollywood's semi-educational historical epics with a rip-roaring Andrew Jackson who plunks his muddy boots on his desk and hangs around with low society. Instead I got a soap opera starring Joan Crawford.
Oh, there ARE some historical incidents, but then there HAS to be because the movie must be about something other than men worshiping Joan Crawford. I'll give you an example of how historical events are related to romance.
We see President Andrew Jackson, Lionel Barrymore, looking less like Andrew Jackson than anyone possibly could. He is pacing slowly in his presidential office, dictating to a scribe. "And so, Gentleman, I must insist that the Union remain united and --" The door bursts open and Crawford rushes in, gushing, demanding to speak to "Uncle Andy." Jackson turns to his scribe and orders sternly, "Now write that up in your best handwriting and we'll finish it later." He turns to Crawford, "Now, what is it, my dear?" "Oh, Uncle Andy -- he wants to MARRY me!" The historical stuff can be found folded into the soap opera like raisins buried in a muffin. Each little incident comes as a delightful surprise.
Is the climax, at least, of some political significance? I guess so. The gossip about Joan Crawford comes to a head and Uncle Andy saves her from being shunned by the stuffy old ladies of Washington. Maybe, in a sense, gossip IS politics. Sometimes, today, it certainly seems so.
I can't go on with this. I'm told that too many deep sobs induces strokes.