Maisie (film)

Maisie

Theatrical Film Poster
Directed by Edwin L. Marin
Produced by J. Walter Ruben
Written by Wilson Collison (novel)
Mary C. McCall, Jr.
Starring Ann Sothern
Robert Young
Cliff Edwards
Music by Edward Ward
Cinematography Leonard Smith
Edited by Fredrick Y. Smith
Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release dates
  • June 22, 1939 (1939-06-22)
Running time
 75 minutes
Country United States
Language English

Maisie is a comedy film property MGM originally purchased for Jean Harlow, but before a shooting script could be completed, Harlow died in 1937. It was put on hold until 1939, when Ann Sothern was hired to star in the project with Robert Young as leading man. It is based on the novel Dark Dame by Wilson Collison. It was the first of 10 films starring Sothern as Maisie Ravier. In Mary C. McCall, Jr.'s screenplay, Maisie is stranded penniless in a small Wyoming town, takes a job at a ranch, and gets caught in a web of romantic entanglements.

Plot

When Brooklyn burlesque showgirl Maisie Ravier (Ann Sothern) arrives at a small Wyoming town, she finds her new employer has folded after a single performance, leaving her stranded and nearly penniless. She persuades Rico (George Tobias) to hire her for his midway shooting gallery.

Her first customer is the unfriendly "Slim" Martin (Robert Young), the manager of a ranch. Slim accidentally drops his wallet full of money. Rico picks it up and leaves town. Slim has Maisie arrested for theft, but when a search finds she only has 15 cents, he admits his mistake. The deputy sheriff informs Maisie that as a vagrant, she must leave town by midnight, so she hides in the back of Slim's truck. When Slim returns to the ranch, he is displeased to discover the stowaway.

He has Maisie driven to the railway station the next morning. Maisie meets the ranch owners, Cliff (Ian Hunter) and Sybil Ames (Ruth Hussey), who arrive on the train. Maisie gets herself hired as Sybil's maid. The Ameses are trying to rebuild their marriage after Cliff discovered Sybil's extramarital affair with Ray Raymond (John Hubbard).

Maisie's warm personality gradually overcomes Slim's hostility. Slim's demeanor is the result of past hard luck: he confessed to embezzlement to protect his girlfriend and spent a year in prison, only to discover after his release that she had run off with another man. Maisie also becomes friends with Cliff.

Maisie and Cliff volunteer to drive needed supplies to the old ranch house, but their car overturns and Cliff is pinned under the wreck. Maisie limps to the house and walks in on Sybil kissing Ray Raymond. Maisie sends the ranch hands to rescue Cliff, who is not seriously injured.

Slim asks Maisie to marry him, and she gleefully accepts. Sybil privately confronts Maisie about Ray. Maisie informs her that she has told no one, to spare Cliff's feelings, but Sybil remains fearful that Maisie may expose her affair. Sybil lies to Slim that Maisie has been pursuing Cliff romantically, and that she only settled for Slim after she realized that Cliff would not leave her. Slim confronts Maisie. Maisie is insulted by Slim's lack of trust, so she breaks their engagement and leaves.

Cliff commits suicide after realizing his wife is still unfaithful. The death is ruled a homicide, and Slim is accused of the crime. Maisie rushes to the courtroom, but she is unable to convince the judge that Slim is innocent. Fortunately, Cliff mailed a letter to his lawyer to deliver to Maisie. The letter details the reasons for Cliff's suicide, exonerating Slim, and names Maisie as Cliff's sole heir. Maisie inherits the ranch and plenty of money to run it.

Cast

Lobby card

References

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