One Desire (1955)

At the turn of the 20th century, a dance hall madam (Anne Baxter, who looks tres chic in her glamorous Bill Thomas costumes) attempts a new life of respectability in a new town where no one knows her. She even embraces motherhood, acting as a surrogate mother to her boyfriend's (Rock Hudson) younger brother (Barry Curtis) and a recently orphaned girl (Natalie Wood, the same year she did REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE). But when the town's rich bitch (Julie Adams) sets her cap on Hudson, it's only a matter of time before Baxter's past is brought to the fore. Handsomely produced by Ross Hunter, it's a strong romantic melodrama directed with style by television veteran Jerry Hopper that has a juicy role for Baxter and she does it justice and Adams gets a rare "bad girl" role that she can sink her teeth into. Second billed Hudson is sturdy and forthright. The music is by Frank Skinner. With Betty Garde (CAGED) and Carl Benton Reid.