Possessed (1931): Cast & Plot
Possessed is a 1931 romantic drama directed by Clarence Brown, starring Clark Gable as Mark Whitney, Walter Walker and Joan Crawford. It runs 1 hour 16 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 16m (76 min)
- Director
- Clarence Brown
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Possessed About?
The premise of Possessed without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Marion, a hardworking factory employee, dreams of leaving the assembly line behind for a luxurious penthouse. Wealthy, influential lawyer Mark Whitney can fund that lifestyle, but he refuses to propose marriage, offering her everything else. Their passionate affair teeters between opulence and a longing for commitment, leaving both to wonder if love will ever become a true union.
Possessed Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- crawford and gable
- pre code film
- erie pennsylvania
- road contractor
- park avenue manhattan new york city
- society melodrama
- political campaign
- campaign speech
- damaged reputation
- love across social classes
- relationship of convenience
- lure of the city
+38 more Show fewer
- small town life
- assembly line worker
- luxury apartment
- divorced man single woman relationship
- implied happy ending
- rags to riches
- working class
- new york city high society
- butler
- staged heckler
- social climber
- cross cultural relationship
- ambition
- better life
- female empowerment
- self determination
- ex boyfriend ex girlfriend relationship
- pretending to be a widow
- merry go round
- marriage proposal rejected
- overhearing a conversation
- state governor
- running for governor
- political speech
- progressive politics
- smear campaign
- improvised speech
- rainstorm
- implied marriage
- vignette
- brutal honesty
- year 1928
- lying about marital status
- social commentary
- depression era drama
- rich suitor
- social transformation
- beauty makeover
Possessed Cast & Characters
Clark Gable leads the cast as Mark Whitney, with Walter Walker as Whitney for Governor Supporter (uncredited) and Joan Crawford as Marian Martin aka 'Mrs. Moreland'. Directed by Clarence Brown; 16 actors are credited in all.
- Director Clarence Brown
-
Clark Gable as Mark Whitney - Walter Walker as Whitney for Governor Supporter (uncredited)
-
Joan Crawford as Marian Martin aka 'Mrs. Moreland' - Clara Blandick as Mrs. Martin
Also Starring in Possessed
· 12 more- Wallace Ford Al Manning
- Richard 'Skeets' Gallagher Wally Stuart
- Bess Flowers Party Guest (uncredited)
- Larry Steers Party Guest (uncredited)
- Wade Boteler Campaign Rally Heckler (uncredited)
- Gino Corrado Signor Martini (uncredited)
- Mary Gordon Woman at Political Rally (uncredited)
- John Miljan John Driscoll
- Francis Ford Drunken Husband (uncredited)
- Jack Pennick Campaign Rally Heckler (uncredited)
- Frank Conroy Horace Travers
- Marjorie White Vernice LaVerne
More from Clarence Brown
More films directed by Clarence Brown, best-rated first: The Yearling, National Velvet, Angels in the Outfield and Plymouth Adventure.
Possessed Plot Summary
What happens in Possessed from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Marian Martin, Joan Crawford, is a factory girl living with her mother in the working-class streets of Erie, Pennsylvania. She dreams of a life beyond the grind of the factory floor, and her hopes clash with the cautious realities around her. Her fiancé, Al Manning, Wallace Ford, represents a practical path, a chance at stability, and he clings to the belief that Marian’s future should stay within the familiar confines of their town. Yet Marian’s gaze keeps drifting toward something larger, something glamorous that seems almost out of reach.
Full summary
The whole story of Possessed, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Possessed?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actress plays Marian Martin, the factory girl who moves to New York?
Possessed Also Known As
13 alternative titles, including “Verkaufte Liebe” and “Politik der Liebe”.
- Also known as
-
- Verkaufte Liebe
- Politik der Liebe
- L'amante
- Alles für dein Glück
- Лудост
- Одержима
- Fascination
- Одержимая
- 藏娇记
- Amor en venta
- Possuída
- 蜃気楼の女
+1 more Show fewer
- Hans älskarinna
Seen Possessed?
Movies Like Possessed
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Apartment, Obsession and Possession.
Possessed FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Possessed, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Possessed?
Possessed runs 1 hour 16 minutes (76 minutes).
When was Possessed released?
Possessed was released on November 21, 1931.
Who directed Possessed?
Possessed was directed by Clarence Brown.
More films by Clarence Brown Who is in the cast of Possessed?
Possessed stars Clark Gable as Mark Whitney, Walter Walker as Whitney for Governor Supporter (uncredited) and Joan Crawford as Marian Martin aka 'Mrs. Moreland', among 16 credited actors.
Does Possessed have a post-credit scene?
No. Possessed has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
