At 2 p.m., the Dryden will screen Frisco Jenny (William A. Wellman, U.S. 1932, 73 min., 35mm).

Ruth Chatterton suffers her way through this sweeping pre-Code story that spans the early 20th century, from the 1906 San Francisco earthquake through to the bootlegging Prohibition era. When her fiancé is killed just before their nuptials can "legitimize" the baby she's carrying, Chatterton turns to prostitution to support her son. She climbs the ranks to become a top procurer of female flesh and illegal alcohol, before taking the rap for a murder committed by slimy and powerful friend Louis Calhern and losing her son to foster care. And it's even further downhill from there, culminating with a mother's secret sacrifice for her son. Wellman directs this familiar story reminiscent of Madame X (filmed several times, and with Chatterton starring in the 1929 version) with his usual frankness, yet with sympathy toward the pre-Code woman trying to navigate her way through (or escape from) illicit relationships, blackmail, and the law. Look for Wellman in a cameo as a reporter.

[source: Dryden website, 2015-May-18]