The President's Lady

Released May 21, 1953

1h 36m

History

Drama

List

60%

5 Reviews

Tomatometer

50%

50+ Ratings

Audience Score

Future president Andrew Jackson (Charlton Heston) rises to fame as a military hero and rescues love of his life Rachel Donelson (Susan Hayward) from an abusive marriage. A man from Tennessee -- which was at the time the edge of the American frontier -- Jackson endures as his critics and opponents characterize him as a rogue from the lawless West. But when his rival, Charles Dickinson (Carl Betz), insults Rachel, Jackson challenges him to a duel that results in a national controversy.

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Howard Thompson

New York Times

The stars make sincere and energetic but hardly memorable protagonists.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 18, 2012

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Through it all, Charlton Heston supplies the kind of ammunition to this film that is as loaded as any carbine slung across his broad shoulders.

Feb 23, 2012

Full Review

Edward Murrain

New York Age

The acting plum is really carried by Ruth Attaway [who] is rewarding in her first film vehicle.

Jul 8, 2021

Full Review

Manny Farber

The Nation

The President's Lady is a studiously dull picture about wild young Andrew Jackson and the trouble he had with the divorce laws of his time.

Nov 24, 2020

Full Review

TV Guide

One of the better biographical films made by Hollywood.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 18, 2012

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deke p

a 1951 old b&w movie about ANDREW JACKSON's romance, that they would never make today. Great cast: HESTON, HAYWARD. John MacIntire. But I soon got very tired what with the overemphasized schmaltzy kissin, etc. But that's what the story was about. It's historical, look it up. The truth about that would be more interesting. Never saw before on THE MOVIE CHANNEL 7.13.2021

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

OK histroical drama lite on the history heavy with the 'dramatic liscense'

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

Star power makes this one enjoyable.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Wonderful retelling of the love story between Rachel and Andrew Jackson. Susan Hayward and Charlton Heston make a perfect team her balance of warmth and grit softens his customary stiffness and rectitude. The ending is a tearjerker deluxe.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

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Henry Levin

Director

Charlton Heston

President Andrew Jackson

Susan Hayward

Rachel Donaldson

John McIntire

John Overton

Fay Bainter

Mrs. Donaldson

Whitfield Connor

Lewis Robards

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Synopsis

Future president Andrew Jackson (Charlton Heston) rises to fame as a military hero and rescues love of his life Rachel Donelson (Susan Hayward) from an abusive marriage. A man from Tennessee -- which was at the time the edge of the American frontier -- Jackson endures as his critics and opponents characterize him as a rogue from the lawless West. But when his rival, Charles Dickinson (Carl Betz), insults Rachel, Jackson challenges him to a duel that results in a national controversy.

Director: Henry Levin
Screenwriter: John Patrick
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 21, 1953, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 36m

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