alexanderdavies-99382 "Bordertown" features a far more convincing performance from Paul Muni, who manages to curtail his usual theatrical approach to film acting. Bette Davis is an excellent female lead for Muni and their scenes radiate with tension. Maragret Lindsay is OK in the supporting cast but she isn't in Davis's league. Paul Muni plays a newly qualified lawyer who decides to make a career for himself near the Mexican border after some problems earlier on in the film. He is employed by a wealthy businessman (Eugene Pallete) to handle all the legal wranglings for his building firm. However, trouble soon rears its head in the form of the businessman's wife, Bette Davis. The second half of "Bordertown" was remade by "Warner Bros" for the 1940 film, "They Drive By Night." It is a coin toss as to who is more fiery and feisty out of Bette Davis and Ida Lupino in the same role. For me, it is an even draw. The plot and the narrative are both strong and with some good dialogue. This is one of the best films Paul Muni whilst at "Warner Bros."

wes-connors In Los Angeles, poor Mexican-American mechanic Paul Muni (as Johnny Ramirez) studies hard to become a lawyer. After losing his first case, an ill-tempered Mr. Muni punches out the opposing attorney. Disbarred, and carrying a chip on his shoulder, Muni goes to work as strong-arm manager for gravelly-voiced Eugene Palette (as Charlie Roark) in a Mexican "Bordertown". Business booms and Muni is made a partner. However, Muni must fend off bosomy blonde bombshell Bette Davis (as Marie), Mr. Palette' s trophy wife. Muni prefers pretty socialite Margaret Lindsay (as Dale Elwell)...Eventually, Muni finds himself on the wrong side of the law...The main problem with "Bordertown" is that the message is to stay in your own "place," and with your own "class" of people. You will see the characters who venture outside their own "kind" are punished. Also, Muni and Ms. Davis were both capable of scratching the edges of their acting range, which sometimes resulted in great performances - but sometimes not. Early in the running, Muni's hot-tempered Spanish youth is too much of a stretch. He gets better as Davis slowly begins to chew the scenery. Both would end the year with better roles, and "Academy Award" winning performances.***** Bordertown (1/23/35) Archie Mayo ~ Paul Muni, Bette Davis, Margaret Lindsay, Eugene Palette

jacksflicks This movie has most everything bad the other reviews claim, and that's why I like it. It's almost burlesque. Yes, Muni overacts (and gets the accent wrong, which is odd, since Muni was known for his scrupulous preparation). Even as the taciturn Juarez, Muni overacts his underacting. It may be his wonderful voice, but there's something about his persona that makes the emoting appealing. That said, I think Edward G. Robinson would have been better in the part. As for Bette Davis, for the whole movie, her character seems to be on or coming down from cocaine. There's a solo scene where she looks like someone who's just done a line, and you watch as the drug begins to work on her. Mad scenes were a Davis specialty and she gives one to Muni like she did to Leslie Howard in Of Human Bondage, except here she's like someone screaming at her pusher who's cut her off. Of course, in the movie, the drug is lust.Anyway, I don't think the subject here is race so much as class. The moral of the story is the old one, that a step up is not necessarily a step for the better. Rich people can be stinkers, so why would you want to buy into them? Muni made another movie of this "city mouse, country mouse" fable, The Good Earth. Robinson made many, but unlike Robinson's characters, Muni's (except for Scarface) were able to escape in one piece.

Caroline888 People that say this film is racist must be oversensitive paragons of political correctness. Yes, many of the Mexican characters are "types" (singing La Cucaracha, for example)- and today "types" are so often condemned as "stereotypes" that it's getting to be impossible to make art anymore. But these characters are types in the old-fashioned sense. They are funny, sympathetic, folksy and lovable but not patronized or simplified by the writers. If anything, the white people are portrayed negatively, as irresponsible people who hurt the downtrodden without thinking twice. Johnny's mother, on the other hand, reminds me of my own grandma, although she provides comic relief by doing so.The reason I gave it 5 out of 10 was not any of that - it's still worth a watch. Bette's OK - not her greatest BD self. The problem is: the film involves too much plot with not enough dramatic exposition. There are 2 court cases, 2 deaths, 3 car-related "mishaps," the rise-and-fall of a tycoon, two love affairs...there are at least 2 feature-length films here. Bette's motivations could fill a whole film - and as a Bette fan I have to say I'm sad that she didn't manage to wind her web around Johnny a little tighter before fessing up. I'm upset Johnny didn't have a real mad scene...and Bette should have had a longer one. But as I said - it's worth a watch.