Paid

1930
Passed
1h 26m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Joan Crawford and Marie Prevost in Paid (1930)

Turner, unjustly imprisoned, rejoins former inmates to con elderly men into marriage proposals. Initially seeking vengeance, she ultimately finds redemption and a new path.Turner, unjustly imprisoned, rejoins former inmates to con elderly men into marriage proposals. Initially seeking vengeance, she ultimately finds redemption and a new path.Turner, unjustly imprisoned, rejoins former inmates to con elderly men into marriage proposals. Initially seeking vengeance, she ultimately finds redemption and a new path.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.3/10

920

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 wins total

Photos13

+ 8

Top cast25

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Joan Crawford

Mary Turner

Robert Armstrong

Joe Garson

Marie Prevost

Agnes Lynch

Douglass Montgomery

Bob Gilder
(as Kent Douglass)

John Miljan

Inspector Burke

Purnell Pratt

Edward Gilder
(as Purnell B. Pratt)

Hale Hamilton

District Attorney Demarest

Robert Emmett O'Connor

Police Sergeant Cassidy
(as Robert Emmet O'Connor)

Tyrell Davis

Eddie Griggs
(as Tyrrell Davis)

William Bakewell

Carney

George Cooper

Gwen Lee

Bertha

Isabel Withers

Helen Morris
(scenes deleted)

Louise Beavers

Black Convict
(uncredited)

Edward Brophy

Burglar
(uncredited)

Payne B. Johnson

Baby
(uncredited)

Fred Kelsey

Night Policeman
(uncredited)

Wilbur Mack

Mr. Irwin
(uncredited)

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
This film was considered to be Joan Crawford's breakthrough role after years of playing empty-headed flappers in a series of profitable films. It was a coup for her as the original star, Norma Shearer, for whom the female lead had been commissioned had to decline the film due to pregnancy. Shearer was married to the studio brass, Irving Thalberg. "How can I compete with her," Crawford complained, "when she sleeps with the boss?"

The story was a perfect dramatic vehicle, allowing the leading lady to make the transition from wide-eyed innocent to hardened ex-convict to mature woman in love. With her other hits in 1930, Crawford now ranked as the nation's top box-office star. Studio head Louis B. Mayer was so happy he gave her a $10,000 bonus.

Goofs
As Mary is led out of the courtroom, a moving shadow of the boom microphone is visible on the wall to the left of the door.

Quotes
Mary Turner: Gee, you're white, Joe.
Joe Garson: Save the flowers for my funeral.

Connections
Edited into Within the Law (1939)

Soundtracks
Happy Days Are Here Again
(uncredited)
Music by Milton Ager
Lyrics by Jack Yellen
Sung by Marie Prevost

User reviews33

Featured review

7/10

precode Crawford talkie

"Paid" is a well done early talkie starring Joan Crawford, Douglass Montgomery, Marie Provost, and Robert Armstrong. It was remade as a programmer in 1939, "Within the Law." Crawford is Mary Turner, sent to the Big Doll House by her store owner boss for a crime she didn't commit. She threatens to get even with him. During her time in stir, she studies the law and realizes that you can use the law to make money. Once out, she joins a gang that prison buddy Aggie (Marie Provost) belongs to, and the group starts legally separating people from their money. Mary, still set on revenge, seduces the son of her boss (Montgomery).

This is a good movie, but the beginning is better than the end, which descends into the world of melodrama. It is superior to the remake.

Crawford, with her hypnotic eyes, does a great job - she replaced Norma Shearer, who was on maternity leave -- and she has excellent support from the tragic Provost, Montgomery, and Armstrong. Apparently a fight in the women's shower was cut, despite the precode status.

Gotta love the young, vibrant Crawford.