Review of Frisco Jenny (1933) by Scott S — 20 Jul 2009

Frisco Jenny (1933) -- [6.5] -- Ruth Chatterton resorts to prostitution after the 1906 earthquake demolishes San Francisco, killing both her father and her lover. She does her best to take care of her young son, but the law sees fit to take the boy away from her after she's caught up in a murder scandal.

Later in life, through a sordid turn of events, her son becomes the district attorney and she's behind bars, sentenced to death. Should she reveal her identity to her son, the only man who can save her life? Or should she take her secret to the grave, so he never bears the shame of having a ho-bag mama? Chatterton isn't one of my favorite actresses from the period, but it's great hearing her deliver a line like, "I gave him life, he gives me death.

" This is a nice, dark, cheezy Pre-Code Hollywood flick that remains true to itself (and its title character), even to the bitter end.