AniInterview Sorry, this movie sucks

Acensbart Excellent but underrated film

Brendon Jones It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Logan By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

wes-connors Cotton-picking farm boy Richard Barthelmess (as Marvin Blake) is saddened by the sudden death of his father, who was conflicted by young Barthelmess' growing fondness for higher education. In order to support his poor family, Barthelmess goes to work for the sharecroppers' miserly plantation owner, Berton Churchill (as Lane Norwood), who also pays for his schooling. Alas, an educated Barthelmess causes political trouble for his fatherly employer.Barthelmess is really too old to be playing a school-age kid. The costume, lighting, and make-up do not hide the strain. Fortunately, Barthelmess, a fine actor, would follow this with some more suitable roles, like "Heroes for Sale" (1933). "The Cabin in the Cotton" has good direction (by Michael Curtiz), an interesting story, and a finely-wizened supporting cast. Barthelmess' leading ladies are sweet Dorothy Jordan (as Betty Wright) and sassy Bette Davis (as Madge Norwood). Ms. Davis, who delivers the memorable line, "I'd like to kiss ya, but I just washed my hair," is outstanding.***** The Cabin in the Cotton (10/15/32) Michael Curtiz ~ Richard Barthelmess, Bette Davis, Dorothy Jordan, Berton Churchill

moonspinner55 It's the Planters vs. the Tenants (but the producers object to taking sides!). Hilariously hoary drama from First National Pictures involves a studious young man, son of Southern cotton-pickers, who graduates from school and takes a job as bookkeeper to a surly land-owner who wants to know who's been stealing his cotton. The boss's firebrand daughter is played by a very young, very blond Bette Davis, easily slipping into Southern Belle mode while pulling some real zingers out of the musty script ("I'd love to kiss ya, but I just washed mah hair...'bye!"). The leading role is played by former silent-screen star Richard Barthelmess, who hasn't adjusted his acting techniques to this improved movie-medium and looks woefully stiff (with a pasty, silent-era make-up job). Dorothy Jordan is the poor girl he loves--she's pretty lively, but this is really Davis' show. ** from ****

nycritic Slim Summerville? I'd say nay... watch Bette Davis' performance as the daughter of a plantation owner as she tries to seduce Richard Barthelmess on three occasions and you will see the makings of an actress with preternatural control of her own self and body language. Going against the code that a woman should be submissive and demure, she utters her immortal line "Ah'd like to kiss ya, but Ah'd jes washed my hair. Good bye!" with a conscious wink in her eye, as if she knew what her effect was on Barthelmess. Later, she does a slow strip-tease mainly off-screen, fully aware of her effect and willing to carry it out, and later still she sits and lazily eats dinner with Richard Barthelmess, her eyes a little sleepy and parted lips suggesting so much. I can't see what could have prompted Davis to believe herself unworthy of Hollywood. An early performance with hints of what she'd do in later films playing women in control, teamed with Barthelmess who was on the way out and with this movie had his last major starring role, and a movie that while at the time might have hit audiences with its social commentary, now seems ancient and distant.

MartinHafer This was not a "big" movie from Warner Brothers, but a relatively inexpensive film starring its lesser actors. It just so happens that one of these "lesser" actors turned out to be a very young and vivacious Bette Davis. Sure, her accent is a bit broad, but she does a lovely job playing the happy-go-lucky daughter of a rich Southern land owner. Richard Barthlemess plays a poor but decent guy caught between loyalties to the land owner and the sharecroppers he knows and loves. Perhaps the biggest down-side to this film is Barthelmess--his character often seems very weak and wussy--though he does a great job in the end standing up to both sides. On the plus side, the dialog and direction is generally very good, and like most Warner films it's great entertainment tied to an interesting social message. Not the best film by any means, but well-made and worth seeing.