The Strange Love Of Molly Louvain (1932)

After being abandoned by her wealthy boyfriend, a young girl (Ann Dvorak) finds herself pregnant. Leaving her child to be raised by strangers, she takes up with a petty gangster (Leslie Fenton) and finds her life spiraling down even further. Based on the play TINSEL GIRL by Maurine Dallas Watkins (CHICAGO) and directed by Michael Curtiz (CASABLANCA). This pre code crime drama is one of those "good girl gone bad" melodramas that aims for the tear ducts as mother love finds her sacrificing herself for her child. Except for the sweet bellhop (Richard Cromwell) who loves her and tries to lead her down the path of respectability, none of the movie's characters are very likable. One can't even find much to like about Molly Louvain (Dvorak) who wallows in self pity and makes terrible choices. Still, typical of most pre code movies it moves fast (1 hour, 13 minutes) so you don't have to much time to wallow with her. The movie is lucky to have the inviting Ann Dvorak in the lead who makes much of the silliness palatable. With Lee Tracy (at his most annoying as an opportunistic newspaper reporter), Guy Kibbee, Frank McHugh and Louise Beavers.