The Mad Miss Manton (1938): Cast & Plot
The Mad Miss Manton is a 1938 mystery comedy directed by Leigh Jason, starring Barbara Stanwyck as Melsa Manton, William Corson and Leona Maricle. It runs 1 hour 20 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 20m (80 min)
- Director
- Leigh Jason
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- RKO Radio Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Mad Miss Manton About?
The premise of The Mad Miss Manton without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Socialite Melsa Manton, famed for her beauty and vivacity, discovers a murdered body that vanishes. Police and sensational press immediately label her a prankster, pressuring her to clear her name. Undeterred, she uses her social influence and quick wit to outmaneuver investigators and locate the missing corpse, turning the scandal into a tense battle.
The Mad Miss Manton Themes & Keywords
· 34 tags- reprisal
- strife
- treachery
- police detective
- scandalous behavior
- quandry
- redemption
- stubborness
- resolvement
- stanwyck and fonda
- new york
- united states of america
+22 more Show fewer
- socialite
- murder investigation
- murder
- investigation
- police
- amateur detective
- ex convict
- black stereotype
- police decoy
- knife
- newsboy
- watchman
- manhattan new york city
- journalist
- screwball comedy
- new york city
- subway
- broker
- jewelry
- lawyer
- gunshot wound
- life insurance
The Mad Miss Manton Cast & Characters
Barbara Stanwyck leads the cast as Melsa Manton, with William Corson as Ronnie Belden (uncredited) and Leona Maricle as Sheila Lane. Directed by Leigh Jason; 81 actors are credited in all.
- Director Leigh Jason
-
Barbara Stanwyck as Melsa Manton - William Corson as Ronnie Belden (uncredited)
- Leona Maricle as Sheila Lane
- Sam Levene as Lieutenant Brent
Also Starring in The Mad Miss Manton
· 77 more- Henry Fonda Peter Ames
- Walter Sande Jim - Investigator for Peter (uncredited)
- Eddy Chandler Detective with Machine Gun (uncredited)
- Linda Perry Myra Frost
- Penny Singleton Frances Glesk
- Stanley Ridges Edward Norris
- Irving Bacon Spangler, the Process Server (uncredited)
- John Qualen Night Watchman at Subway Construction Site
- Paul Guilfoyle Bat Regan
- Charles Halton Popsie (uncredited)
- Olin Howland Mr. X, the Safecracker
- Bess Flowers Guest at Charity Ball (uncredited)
- Hattie McDaniel Hilda
- Byron Foulger Assistant News Editor (uncredited)
- George Chandler Newspaper Staff (uncredited)
- Pierre Watkin Mr. Fenton (uncredited)
Show all 81 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Bert Stevens Charity Ball Guest (uncredited)
- Donald Kerr Ben - Melsa's Chauffeur (uncredited)
- Mike Lally Las Palmas Club Dance Floor Extra (uncredited)
- Charles Sullivan Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
- Charles Trowbridge Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
- Emory Parnell Doorman (uncredited)
- George Magrill Policeman (uncredited)
- William Tannen Drunk Who Trips in Las Palmas Club (uncredited)
- Brick Sullivan Police Detective (uncredited)
- James Burke Sullivan
- Grady Sutton Secretary to District Attorney
- Matt Mchugh Frisco - False Waiter (uncredited)
- Clarence Wilson Norris' Attorney (uncredited)
- Ed Brady Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
- Lynton Brent Clerk (uncredited)
- Leonard Mudie Managing Editor (uncredited)
- George DeNormand Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
- James Carlisle Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
- Jack Rice Hospital Doctor (uncredited)
- Oliver Cross Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
- Miles Mander Fred Thomas
- John Butler Waiter (uncredited)
- Robert Middlemass District Attorney (uncredited)
- Russell Wade Charity Ball Guest (uncredited)
- Fred Rapport Headwaiter (uncredited)
- Otto Fries Homicide Detective (uncredited)
- Ted Oliver Detective (uncredited)
- Paul Everton Newspaper Editor (uncredited)
- Charles McMurphy Policeman (uncredited)
- Vinton Hayworth Peter's Secretary (uncredited)
- Tom Ferrandini Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
- Wade Crosby Writer (uncredited)
- Virginia Dabney Secretary (uncredited)
- Kay Sutton Gloria Hamilton
- Buster Slaven Messenger Boy with Telegrams (uncredited)
- Edward Thomas Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
- Harry A. Bailey Booking Sergeant (uncredited)
- Harvey Parry Stuntman (uncredited)
- Tom Costello Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
- Harry Fleischmann Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
- Gerald Pierce Newsboy (uncredited)
- Frances Mercer Helen Frayne
- Vickie Lester Kit Beverly
- Lillian Miles Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
- Robert Mitchell Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
- Whitney Bourne Pat James
- Michael Stark Plainclothesman (uncredited)
- Ann Evers Lee Wilson
- Douglas Williams Policeman (uncredited)
- Carlie Taylor Charity Ball Guest (uncredited)
- Jean Stevens Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
- Buck Mack Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
- Jane Woodworth Charity Ball Guest (uncredited)
- Cy Slocum Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
- Eleanor Hansen Jane
- Pauline Wagner Charity Ball Guest (uncredited)
- Frank Anthony Policeman (uncredited)
- Barrett Whitelaw Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
- Catherine O'Quinn Dora Fenton
- Harry Campbell Harold (uncredited)
- Mary Jo Desmond Charity Ball Guest (uncredited)
More from Leigh Jason
More films directed by Leigh Jason: The Choppers, Okinawa, The Man from Texas and Out of the Blue.
The Mad Miss Manton Plot Summary
What happens in The Mad Miss Manton from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Melsa Manton, Barbara Stanwyck takes her two small dogs for a midnight stroll at 3:00 am near a subway construction site, where a hurried Ronnie Belden, William Corson, bursts from a house listed for sale by Sheila Lane, Leona Maricle, and owned by her husband, George Lane. Inside, she discovers a diamond brooch and the dead body of George Lane. As she hurries to summon help, her cloak drops away, concealing the brooch. When the police arrive, the body, cloak, and brooch have vanished, leaving everyone to scramble for explanations.
Full summary
The whole story of The Mad Miss Manton, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Mad Miss Manton?
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 portrays Melsa Manton?
Cars in The Mad Miss Manton
1 car on screen: the 1938 Cadillac Series 90 V16.
-
1938 Cadillac Series 90 V16
The Mad Miss Manton Also Known As
7 alternative titles, including “Miss Manton est folle” and “Сумасшедшая мисс Ментон”.
- Also known as
-
- Miss Manton est folle
- Сумасшедшая мисс Ментон
- Il terzo delitto
- Ocho mujeres y un crimen
- 疯狂的曼顿小姐
- Quando Elas Teimam
- 7 flickor jagar en mördare
Seen The Mad Miss Manton?
Movies Like The Mad Miss Manton
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Madame Mystery, Miss Pinkerton and The Adventurous Blonde.
The Mad Miss Manton FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Mad Miss Manton, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Mad Miss Manton?
The Mad Miss Manton runs 1 hour 20 minutes (80 minutes).
When was The Mad Miss Manton released?
The Mad Miss Manton was released on October 8, 1938.
Who directed The Mad Miss Manton?
The Mad Miss Manton was directed by Leigh Jason.
More films by Leigh Jason Who is in the cast of The Mad Miss Manton?
The Mad Miss Manton stars Barbara Stanwyck as Melsa Manton, William Corson as Ronnie Belden (uncredited) and Leona Maricle as Sheila Lane, among 81 credited actors.
Does The Mad Miss Manton have a post-credit scene?
No. The Mad Miss Manton has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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