The Purchase Price

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The Purchase Price

Released Jul 23, 1932

1h 10m

Drama

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3 Reviews

47%

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50+ Ratings

Nightclub chanteuse Joan Gordon (Barbara Stanwyck) desperately wants to end her illicit relationship with underworld kingpin Ed Fields (Lyle Talbot). But breaking up with such a powerful man won't be easy. In an effort to escape, Joan travels to North Dakota to be the mail-order bride of wheat grower Jim Gilson (George Brent). Although it's a long way from the seedy streets of New York City, Joan's less than lustrous past resurfaces when Eddie shows up to bring her back.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a fairly basic premise that’s employed to watchable yet thoroughly forgettable effect by Wellman...

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 20, 2023

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Sean Axmaker

Parallax View

Wellman knows how to delivers the sex...

Mar 24, 2009

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Brent and Stanwyck do a nice job of opposites falling in love.

Rated: B-

Sep 7, 2005

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Steve D

The script isn't worthy of Stanwyck.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/04/23

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Audience Member

Stanwyck escapes gangster boyfriend and becomes farmer.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

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joe m

Oldie but goodie where Stanwyck goes from night club moll to Dakota mail order bride. Somewhat wooden acting, especially by Brent, but at just over an hour, a pleasant diversion.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

Barbara Stanwyck had me from the beginning, as she crooned "Take Me Away" so seductively in the movie's first scene, and she could do no wrong from then on. Those eyes, that voice. She's so beautiful, and so natural as an actor. She plays a nightclub singer who becomes a mail-order bride to a farmer (Jim Gilson) in the middle of nowhere after wanting to get away from city life. It all moves a little too quickly for her as she has a rapid civil ceremony practically after stepping off a long train ride, and that evening she rebuffs her new husband's advances. He's the sensitive sort and can't forget it, even after she comes around and makes it clear she wants to consummate their marriage, talking to him sweetly and sincerely, and later beckoning him with lingerie. The movie is not all that well regarded, but I found it sweet, and Stanwyck captivating.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

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ashley h

The Purchase Price is an excellent film. It is about a torch singer who becomes a mail-order bride for a farmer. Barbara Stanwyck and George Brent give amazing performances. The screenplay is well written. William A. Wellman did a great job directing this movie. I enjoyed watching this motion picture because of the drama and humor.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

another pre-code wellman sr mail rdewr vbride, like my grandma was also.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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William A. Wellman

Director

Barbara Stanwyck

Joan Gordon

George Brent

Jim Gilson

Lyle Talbot

Eddie Fields

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Synopsis

Nightclub chanteuse Joan Gordon (Barbara Stanwyck) desperately wants to end her illicit relationship with underworld kingpin Ed Fields (Lyle Talbot). But breaking up with such a powerful man won't be easy. In an effort to escape, Joan travels to North Dakota to be the mail-order bride of wheat grower Jim Gilson (George Brent). Although it's a long way from the seedy streets of New York City, Joan's less than lustrous past resurfaces when Eddie shows up to bring her back.

Director: William A. Wellman
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Bros.
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 23, 1932, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2009
Runtime: 1h 10m

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