Her Man | 1930 | Drama

Title: Her Man | 1930 | Drama Director: Tay Garnett Studio: Pathé Exchange Starring: Helen Twelvetrees, Phillips Holmes, Marjorie Rambeau, James Gleason, Ricardo Cortez, Thelma Todd, Franklin Pangborn Based on: Story inspired by the ballad “Frankie and Johnny” Release Date: 1930 Runtime: 85 minutes Format: Black and white with sound Country: United States Language: English Genres: Drama Romance Crime --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Frankie at the Havana dancehall 00:10:00 Johnnie’s control and conflict 00:20:00 Dan’s arrival and attraction 00:35:00 Romance between Frankie and Dan 00:50:00 Johnnie’s jealousy and threat 01:05:00 Climax and escape --- Summary: Her Man is a 1930 American pre-Code drama set in a rough Havana nightclub where Frankie, a dancehall showgirl and pickpocket, navigates survival under the possessive control of her brutish partner Johnnie. Her life changes when Dan, a visiting sailor, falls for her and offers a chance at a different life. As Frankie and Dan’s relationship deepens, they confront danger, jealousy, and violence in their quest for freedom from the gritty underworld that surrounds them. The film blends elements of crime melodrama and romantic tension, illustrating Frankie’s struggle between loyalty to a destructive past and hope for a future with Dan, all against an atmospheric backdrop of nightlife, danger, and redemption. --- Background: Produced and distributed by Pathé Exchange and directed by Tay Garnett, Her Man was one of the notable early talking pictures that showcased dynamic camerawork and pre-Code thematic freedom. The screenplay by Tom Buckingham, Garnett, and Howard Higgin adapts influences from the traditional ballad “Frankie and Johnny” into an original narrative about love and survival on the fringes of society. --- Trivia: Her Man features Helen Twelvetrees in a breakthrough role as Frankie, contributing to her early career prominence. The film’s restored original camera negative was rediscovered and scanned in 4K for modern preservation. Supportive performances include Thelma Todd and Franklin Pangborn among the ensemble. The narrative’s inspiration from the folk ballad “Frankie and Johnny” underscores its blend of popular culture and melodrama. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: 1930 Original Studio / Distributor: Pathé Exchange Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Not applicable --- Hashtags: #HerMan1930 #TayGarnett #HelenTwelvetrees #PreCodeCinema #PublicDomain #ClassicFilm