Madame X
“The Newest and Greatest All-Talking Motion Picture”
Synopsis
A young, unfaithful wife and mother is thrown out by her cold, unforgiving husband, the Attorney General of France. She is barred from ever seeing her three year old son again despite her earnest attempts to make amends. For many years the mother seeks refuge overseas and in Absinthe. In the end, her son, a young and promising lawyer unknowingly defends her in court. Ruth Chatterton gives a marvelous performance in this early talkie in her portrayal of Madame X.
Top Cast
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Ruth Chatterton
Jacqueline Floriot
Lewis Stone
Louis Floriot
Raymond Hackett
Raymond Floriot
Sidney Toler
Dr. Merivel
Carroll Nye
Darrell, a Naval Officer
Eugenie Besserer
Rose, Floriot's Servant
Chappell Dossett
Judge
Claude King
Valmorin, the Prosecutor
Richard Carle
Perissard
John P. Edington
Doctor
Mitchell Lewis
Colonel Hanby
Holmes Herbert
Noel
Henry Armetta
Hotel Owner (uncredited)
Agostino Borgato
Hotel Porter (uncredited)
Jack Chefe
Nightclub Waiter (uncredited)
Ronnie Cosby
Boy at Puppet Show (uncredited)
Carrie Daumery
Dining Room Guest (uncredited)
Derry Dee
Boy at Puppet Show (uncredited)
Release History & Theatrical Window
August 17, 1929
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Lionel Barrymore
- Screenplay & Story
- Alexandre Bisson, Willard Mack
- Original Title
- Madame X
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 35m
- Production Studios
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Lionel Barrymore
Alexandre Bisson, Willard Mack
Arthur Reed
William S. Gray
Department Leadership Roster
Lionel Barrymore
Director
William S. Gray
Editor
Arthur Reed
Director of Photography
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Madame X.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Madame X.
Movies
Pre-Code Hollywood
Pre-Code Hollywood films, 1929 to 1934.
Missing Mine
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Oscar Best Actress Nominees
Complete list of Oscar Best Actress Nominees
Oscar Best Director Nominees
Complete list of Oscar Best Director Nominees
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Frequently Asked Questions About Madame X
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Madame X about?
A young, unfaithful wife and mother is thrown out by her cold, unforgiving husband, the Attorney General of France. She is barred from ever seeing her three year old son again despite her earnest attempts to make amends. For many years the mother seeks refuge overseas and in Absinthe. In the end, her son, a young and promising lawyer unknowingly defends her in court. Ruth Chatterton gives a marvelous performance in this early talkie in her portrayal of Madame X.
Who directed Madame X?
Madame X was directed by Lionel Barrymore.
Who stars in Madame X?
The principal cast of Madame X includes Ruth Chatterton, Lewis Stone, Raymond Hackett, Sidney Toler, Carroll Nye.
When was Madame X released and how long is it?
Madame X was released in 1929 with a total runtime of 1h 35m.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Madame X?
Madame X holds official age classifications: US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).