everything you have heard about this movie is true.

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

Not just women, but men, too, will be drawn into this touching and gripping drama. This is, at least the fifth version of the classic story which tells of a woman's overwhelming love for the Husband and Son from whom she was cruelly parted. Lana Turner plays Holly Parker, whose marriage to Blueblood Clayton Anderson (John Forsythe) propels her into a world of wealth and power. Though the marriage is happy, and produces a son,Clay Jr, (Teddy Quinn/Keir Dullea), her husband's political ambitions and long absences tempt her into an affair with Playboy Phil Benton (Ricardo Montalban). When he is accidentally killed, Holly's Aristocratic (and opportunistic) Mother-In-law, Estelle (Constance Bennett) who, from the start, considered her an inferior (and hired a private detective to shadow her) moves in for the kill,using the threat of a potential scandal to blackmail her into leaving the country.She quickly provides Holly with a new identity, and financial support. Things go from bad to worse for Holly from there, as she wanders aimlessly around the world attempting, without success, to forget the blow fate has dealt her. Alcoholism and prostitution soon follow, as does slimy character Dan Sullivan (Burgess Meredith) who tries to profit from her past-leading to a climax which allows Turner to do some of the best work of her career. Producer Ross Hunter, who favored aging Stars from the past (Jane Wyman, Barbara Stanwyck Ann Sheridan and Joan Bennett were some) also loved remaking Soap Operas in High Style, though the films were actually made on low budgets. The costumes, the gorgeous Technicolor photography (by veteran Russell Metty) the glittering jewels and the impressive lineup of big Names helped considerably to disguise the fact that this was almost all filmed on the Universal Lot. Turner had worked with Hunter before on the very successful ''Imitation Of Life, and ''Portrait In Black'.' ''Madame X'' was their third collaboration.By the 1960's though, the plot was considered out of date, and the film was a financial failure. When it was first shown on TV, however, it garnered a huge audience, who were able to fully appreciate it, and it's success there may well have paved the way for nighttime soaps like ''Dallas'' and ''Falcon Crest''.Although it's unmistakably Turner's vehicle, the hand picked supporting cast is excellent. Alas, it was 30's star Bennett's last film,but, (looking radiant) she made the most of it. The direction by David Lowell Rich was equally fine, and the Production, especially the music score by Frank Skinner, was perfect. Lana, though showing her age in the early scenes, (in fact, she looks downright matronly when she is supposed to be a young bride) redeems herself by the finale, giving a heart-wrenching performance at her trial.Both she and Dullea are truly touching. And those viewers who can surrender their cynicism and just enjoy the story for what it is- Soap Opera Par Excellance, will be amply rewarded. Madame X was remade yet again (in 1981) with Tuesday Weld in the Title Role-she proved up to the task, but, for my money, this version is unbeatable.

Holly Parker, a beautiful woman, is married to an up and coming politician with a bright future ahead of him. Holly, who is bored with her husband being away from home so much, becomes the lover of Phil Benton, a playboy, who wants her for himself. Holly, realizes her error and goes to break up with Phil, but a terrible accident happens where he ends falling to his own death in his apartment. Thanks to her conniving mother-in-law, who realizes she's a liability for her son's political career, Holly is given a choice she can't refuse, a new identity and money, in exchange for her supposed death by drowning.What follows is Holly's adventure as a single woman who misses her son terribly, but one that knows she can't go back to her old life. An aristocratic pianist, Christian Torben, wants Holly, but she can't commit to his life style, and what follows is her own descent to hell when she drowns her sorrows in absinthe, a potent drink she loves. She ends up in Mexico where the scheming Don Sullivan discovers who she really is; he tries to blackmail her, but she is determined not to have her identity revealed to her former husband, or the son she loved more than anything else.The final section of the movie is a court trial in which, her own son, Clayton Anderson Jr., is an assistant D.A. assigned to defend her. During the trial Clayton Anderson Sr. and his mother come to see the young man in action, but they can't connect this defeated woman to Holly. Holly gets to know the identity of her young lawyer at the end.This melodrama was a vehicle for Lana Turner, who saw in it a great opportunity in which to excel. Directed by David Lowell Rich, it follows the star from a glamorous beginning to a tragic end. The only problem was that Ms. Turner's co-star, Constance Bennett, looked as young as her own daughter-in-law in the early scenes. As Neil Doyle has pointed out in his commentary, Ms. Bennett, a veteran actress, had undergone plastic surgery herself, making her look better than the star.The other major flaw of this version is one of credibility. Even though Holly is supposed to have aged with her heavy drinking, she looks about the same, so it's a surprise when the old Mrs. Anderson herself, who is in court all the time can't even recognize Holly, or for that matter, Old Clayton himself doesn't seem to know this woman was his beloved wife. But that's the stuff that makes this type of story what they are. "Madame X" is what it is: a tear jerker at its best. They don't come any better than this, so don't see it without the tissues!

Lana Turner, party gal supreme, was a fine actress whose personal life detracted from her fine on-camera work. "The Bad and The Beautiful" "Peyton Place" "Imitation Of Life" and this film "Madame X" are all examples of fine acting. Lana Turner after the Stopanato Murder was given a new lease on her career by Ross Hunter at Universal, and the result was "Imitation of Life" a huge success for Universal and Turner who had an ownership percentage in that hit. Hunter and Turner and Universal reprised in "Portrait In Black" and hit another great home run with a remake of "Madame X" also at Universal. Simply put Lana Turner is outstanding in this film and the last 30 minutes of Madame X has Lana Turner performing as only the best actresses could. Lana Turner should have been nominated, but I gather her party ways, the hangover of the Stompanto murder, etc..left a sour taste with some Academy voters. Fine support by Keir Dullea and terrific seeing Constance Bennett in the role of Lana's wicked Mother In Law. Ms Bennett died soon after filming. This is a fine Film with Lana Turner robbed of a Nomination.

That Lana Turner played her beauty down so much in this movie, that she acted like a dream - this is the real Lana Turner. She was marvelous. This movie is a heart breaker. That darling son that defends her, not knowing she was his mother, and yet, had an instinct? This is Hollywood and Lana Turner at their finest. If you want true soap opera and none of the tripe, go for this. John Forsythe, Constance Bennett? Even they are tearing up at Lana's performance. Marvelous is all I can say. Marvelous!!!! I loved Lana Turner when she was younger, but her later movies such as this and Peyton Place? She was and will always be fantastic.