Lilly Turner

Name: Lilly Turner
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: 1933-05-13
Duration: 1 h 5 min
Rating: 6.5
Cast: Ruth Chatterton, George Brent, Frank McHugh

1933
Passed
1h 5m

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

540

YOUR RATING

George Brent and Ruth Chatterton in Lilly Turner (1933)

Drama Romance

A carnival magician deserts his wife when he finds out she's pregnant. She then marries the carnival's barker, but finds herself attracted to a young engineer.A carnival magician deserts his wife when he finds out she's pregnant. She then marries the carnival's barker, but finds herself attracted to a young engineer.A carnival magician deserts his wife when he finds out she's pregnant. She then marries the carnival's barker, but finds herself attracted to a young engineer.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

540

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
Warner Brothers (which absorbed First National in November 1929) attempted to reissue Lilly Turner (1933), a pre-Code film, in 1936, but Joseph Breen denied them a Code certificate.

Goofs
When Lilly and Bob are in the truck, during the night at about 45 minutes into the film, David comes up from the bank and offers her a drink from his bottle. In one shot the label is facing her, in the next shot the label is facing away from her as Dave tried to hand her the bottle. When she drinks from the bottle, the label is facing away from her, but in the next shot as she finishes, the label is not visible. She goes to drink again and the label is visible once more.

Quotes
Doc Peter McGill: Folks, what is it that we all want? I ask you, what is it? Happiness! And you can't have happiness without health. And that's what I'm here to tell you about: health! And I can say without fear of contradiction, that if you follow the instructions in my little book closely, you'll never be sick again, as long as you live. Now, friends, before my assistants pass among you copies of this remarkable little book, I wish to introduce to you the most beautifully formed woman in all the world. Venus, herself, might envy her. A perfect specimen of womanhood! An amazing example of clean living and right thinking.
Lilly 'Queenie' Turner Dixon: Hello everybody. You may be surprised to hear that as a child I was deformed and practically a cripple. No one ever dreamed that one day I'd be well and strong. And I'm here to tell you that no woman should be discouraged with her figure, her face or her complexion. The truth is that thousands of tired, sick and overweight women have already proven that radiant health and a perfect figure can be acquired by following the instructions in Dr. McGill's Health book. I'm glad to have the opportunity to thanking Dr. McGill for my astounding good health. I thank you.

Soundtracks
I Love You Truly
(uncredited)
Written by Carrie Jacobs Bond (1906)
Played and sung at the wedding by unidentified performers

User reviews20

Review

Featured review

6/10

Ruth Chatterton's Life Is a Carnival

Ruth Chatterton (as Lilly Turner) impulsively marries handsome actor Gordon Westcott (as Rex Durkee). Soon, Ms. Chatterton learns Mr. Westcott is a two-timer, who can't keep a job. Additionally, Westcott beats up Chatterton's pal Frank McHugh (as Dave Dixon), who shows a fondness for alcohol. When Westcott's previous wife makes a surprise appearance, Chatterton learns he is a bigamist; but, Westcott has taken off for parts unknown. Chatterton, left pregnant, accepts Mr. McHugh's marriage proposal; and, the two try to make ends meet as carnival workers. Then, Chatterton falls for down-on-his-luck engineer George Brent (as Bob Chandler), who soon replaces carnival strongman Robert Barrat (as Fritz). Mr. Barrat has gone insane with love for Chatterton; and, she is torn between her love for Mr. Brent and her loyalty for McHugh

Less than spectacular, but competent, star vehicle for superstar Chatterton, ably directed by William A. Wellman. During this film, Brent and Chatterton were real-life husband and wife. Brent co-starred with the most popular actresses of the time; though, he oftentimes comes across as rather ordinary, but is most appealing opposite Chatterton. McHugh gives an excellent supporting performance as Chatterton's alcoholic friend. Guy Kibbee and Marjorie Gateson are also highly watchable, as the amorous McGills.

****** Lilly Turner (5/13/33) William A. Wellman ~ Ruth Chatterton, George Brent, Frank McHugh, Guy Kibbee