Three on a Match
Three on a Match

Three on a Match

1932Movie63 minEnglish

Although Vivian Revere is seemingly the most successful of a trio of reunited schoolmates, she throws it away by descending into a life of debauchery and drugs.

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IMDb7.1/10
Director: Mervyn LeRoyGenres: Crime, Drama, Mystery

Plot Summary

Three childhood friends reunite after a decade, finding their lives have taken drastically different paths. Mary, now a wealthy socialite, has a strained marriage and a secret addiction to cocaine. Vivian, a seemingly content housewife, harbors a hidden past connected to Mary's downfall. Ruth, the pragmatic one, tries to navigate their complicated reunion while dealing with her own marital woes. Their paths intertwine through secrets, betrayal, and the dangerous consequences of addiction and societal pressures.

Critical Reception

A pre-Code thriller, 'Three on a Match' was noted for its gritty portrayal of drug addiction and its exploration of the darker side of societal expectations for women. While appreciated for its performances and suspenseful narrative, its subject matter was considered controversial for the time.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its intense pre-Code drama and exploration of taboo subjects.
  • Ann Dvorak's performance as the tragic Vivian Sterling received particular acclaim.
  • The film's portrayal of cocaine addiction was considered shocking for its era.

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Fun Fact

The film is notable for its daring pre-Code treatment of cocaine addiction, a subject rarely addressed so directly in mainstream cinema of the early 1930s.

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