The President’s Lady ** (1953, Charlton Heston, Susan Hayward, John McIntire, Fay Bainter) – Classic Movie Review 13,846  

The 1953 biopic The President’s Lady is based on Irving Stone’s 1951 novel, and stars Charlton Heston and Susan Hayward.

Director Henry Levin’s 1953 20th Century Fox black and white historical film The President’s Lady is based on Irving Stone’s 1951 novel, and stars Charlton Heston and Susan Hayward, with John McIntire and Fay Bainter.

Charlton Heston plays the soldier, lawyer and US President-to-be Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) involved with the enigmatic beauty Rachel Donelson Robards (Susan Hayward), whom he later marries.

The solidly handled costume drama spotlights romance and political intrigue in 1800s America, with carefully detailed performances from well-cast, on-form stars, and some fine character actor performances. There is plenty of jaw-clenching passion in this plush and practised adaptation of Irving Stone’s novel, with capable handling from director Henry Levin.

Jackson became seventh US President from 1828 to 1836. Heston played Jackson again in 1958’s The Buccaneer.

Sol C Siegel produces, with Levin as associate producer. The score is by Alfred Newman and the cinematography by Leo Tover.

It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Art Direction (Lyle R Wheeler, Leland Fuller, Paul S Fox) and for Best Costume Design (Charles LeMaire, Renié).

Release: May 21, 1953.

Runtime: 96 minutes.

It took $1.35 million in US rentals against a budget of $1,475,000. Not a hit then, and, given its very American subject, it cannot have been popular elsewhere in the world.

Andrew Jackson’s great-grandson Andrew Jackson IV plays a US Senator in an inauguration scene.

Cast: Charlton Heston, Susan Hayward, John McIntire, Fay Bainter, Carl Betz, Ralph Dumke, Gladys Hurlbut, Ruth Attaway, Charles Dingle, Margaret Wycherly, Jim Davis, Whitfield Connor.

The President’s Lady is directed by Henry Levin, runs 96 minutes, is made and released by 20th Century Fox, is written by John Patrick, based on Irving Stone’s novel, is shot in black and white by Leo Tover, is produced by Sol C Siegel and Henry Levin (associate producer), and is scored by Alfred Newman.

© Derek Winnert 2026 – Classic Movie Review 13,846

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