Waterfront Lady (1935) Director: Joseph Santley Studio: Liberty Pictures (later absorbed into Republic Pictures) Starring: Ann Rutherford, Frank Albertson, J. Farrell MacDonald, Barbara Pepper, Ted Osborne, Byron Foulger Release Date: October 1, 1935 Runtime: 63 minutes Format: Black-and-white, sound Country: United States Language: English Genres: Drama | Crime | Romance Summary: When young Ann McKnight falls in love with gambler Ronny Hillyer, her father disapproves, fearing Ronny is too involved with shady waterfront dealings. As tensions rise, Ann must decide whether to follow her heart or listen to her father’s warnings. Meanwhile, a dangerous smuggling racket threatens to pull Ronny deeper into crime. Torn between romance and morality, Ann and Ronny face choices that will change their futures forever. Background: Waterfront Lady was produced by Liberty Pictures, one of the many small “Poverty Row” studios operating in the 1930s. Known for producing low-budget dramas and crime stories, Liberty Pictures merged into Republic Pictures shortly after this film’s release. The movie is notable for featuring a young Ann Rutherford, who would go on to greater fame in Gone with the Wind (1939) and the Andy Hardy series at MGM. Trivia: This was one of Ann Rutherford’s earliest starring roles before her breakout in Hollywood’s bigger studios. Liberty Pictures, the producing studio, was short-lived but played a role in the consolidation that created Republic Pictures. Character actor Byron Foulger, who appears in the film, went on to have a long career in Hollywood, often playing nervous or eccentric types. The film reflects the 1930s trend of mixing romance with crime melodramas set in working-class or dockside environments. Hashtags: #WaterfrontLady #AnnRutherford #ClassicDrama #PovertyRowCinema #1930sHollywood #LibertyPictures