FRISCO JENNY begins in San Francisco just before the earthquake. Jenny (Ruth Chatterton) is in love with a young piano player and plans on marrying him, but he is killed during the quake. In a twist that could have only happened "Pre-Code" (i.e., before the Hollywood production code of standards was strengthened), you find out that she is pregnant and she has a cute baby boy. However, being poor and with few resources, she makes money "the old fashioned way"--by becoming a madame and having her own stable of "working girls". While they never say exactly that she makes her living this way, it's pretty obvious.
Eventually, her earthy roots nearly result in her going to jail and her son is sent to be raised by a rich and respectable family. The plan is for Jenny to save up the money to take him to live somewhere where her reputation won't follow. However, when she returns for the boy, he doesn't know her and he is traumatized with the notion of losing the only parents he can remember--these foster parents. Realizing it's best for him to just leave and let him believe these are his real parents, she departs from his life for good. As he grows into very respectable manhood, she follows his life the entire way and she's proud when she helps him to become district attorney--even if that means an end to her rackets.
There is one man who knows the truth and he threatens to tell the new D.A. that his mom is a criminal. In a scene that is just too ridiculously perfect to be true, Jenny chases him to the D.A.'s office and shoots him just as he's about to tell. Then, after she is caught, she is brought back to the office and the dying man is confessing what he knows about Jenny...but dies just as he's revealing the truth to the D.A.. Talk about convenient!!! The final weepy segment of the film shows Jenny both being prosecuted by her own son AND then awaiting execution. While she'd love to tell the young man the truth, her own devotion prevents this and she goes to her death with the secret on her lips.
When I watched this movie, I couldn't help but think that I'd seen it many times before. That's because many variations on this plot were made during the classic days of Hollywood, with films such as SO BIG!, IMITATION OF LIFE, STELLA DALLAS and in particular, MADAME X--the last two of which have been remade several times (probably too many times, if you ask me). This sort of weepy soap opera film was made again and again--all to illustrate that the greatest thing in this world is a self-sacrificing mother! Now this isn't a bad theme at all--but to appear again and again?! After all, self-sacrifice is one thing, but to be a human doormat seems a bit too noble and the films don't age particularly well because the mothers are just too perfect.
The bottom line is that the film is very entertaining and Chatterton does a fine job BUT the script is also completely ridiculous. Plus, I don't recommend you watch many films like this, as your blood sugar level may increase to the danger zone! Overall, it's watchable and enjoyable but you can't help but think you've seen this a dozen times before if you are a long-time fan of classic Hollywood films.
Eventually, her earthy roots nearly result in her going to jail and her son is sent to be raised by a rich and respectable family. The plan is for Jenny to save up the money to take him to live somewhere where her reputation won't follow. However, when she returns for the boy, he doesn't know her and he is traumatized with the notion of losing the only parents he can remember--these foster parents. Realizing it's best for him to just leave and let him believe these are his real parents, she departs from his life for good. As he grows into very respectable manhood, she follows his life the entire way and she's proud when she helps him to become district attorney--even if that means an end to her rackets.
There is one man who knows the truth and he threatens to tell the new D.A. that his mom is a criminal. In a scene that is just too ridiculously perfect to be true, Jenny chases him to the D.A.'s office and shoots him just as he's about to tell. Then, after she is caught, she is brought back to the office and the dying man is confessing what he knows about Jenny...but dies just as he's revealing the truth to the D.A.. Talk about convenient!!! The final weepy segment of the film shows Jenny both being prosecuted by her own son AND then awaiting execution. While she'd love to tell the young man the truth, her own devotion prevents this and she goes to her death with the secret on her lips.
When I watched this movie, I couldn't help but think that I'd seen it many times before. That's because many variations on this plot were made during the classic days of Hollywood, with films such as SO BIG!, IMITATION OF LIFE, STELLA DALLAS and in particular, MADAME X--the last two of which have been remade several times (probably too many times, if you ask me). This sort of weepy soap opera film was made again and again--all to illustrate that the greatest thing in this world is a self-sacrificing mother! Now this isn't a bad theme at all--but to appear again and again?! After all, self-sacrifice is one thing, but to be a human doormat seems a bit too noble and the films don't age particularly well because the mothers are just too perfect.
The bottom line is that the film is very entertaining and Chatterton does a fine job BUT the script is also completely ridiculous. Plus, I don't recommend you watch many films like this, as your blood sugar level may increase to the danger zone! Overall, it's watchable and enjoyable but you can't help but think you've seen this a dozen times before if you are a long-time fan of classic Hollywood films.