In THE CABIN IN THE COTTON, based on a novel by Harry Harrison Kroll, Bette Davis, in one of her earliest films, plays Madge, a naughty, privileged vamp who toys with the feelings of Marvin Blake (Richard Barthelmess), a poor sharecropper's son. Marvin works in the store owned by Madge’s father and manages after a great amount of diligent toil to get promoted to accountant. After discovering his employer has been systematically ripping off his fellow local farmers, Marvin is torn between turning Madge’s father in to the authorities and keeping mum to preserve his hope of having a relationship with her. Barthelmess, best known as a star of the silent screen, imbues his portrayal of the stolid, lovesick Marvin with heartbreaking grace. Dorothy Jordan also gives a notable performance as Betty Wright, a humble farm girl, and Davis offers a hint of things to come with an incendiary turn as the young, platinum-haired woman who could convince even the most morally solid man to stray from the straight and narrow. Michael Curtiz (CASABLANCA) directs with rugged simplicity to match the tale.

release year: 1932

star(s): Bette Davis