Another Face

Another Face

Year: 1935

Runtime: 69 mins

Language: English

Director: Christy Cabanne

DramaCrimeComedy

A wanted murderer undergoes a radical facial reconstruction to escape the law and then hides in plain sight under the glare of a spotlight. The surgeon who performed the operation is found dead, and only the nurse who assisted knows his true appearance. As he adjusts to his new identity, she teaches him about women.

Another Face (1935) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Another Face (1935) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In a city that never sleeps, a desperate fugitive known only as Dawson turns to an underground surgeon for the ultimate escape: a complete facial reconstruction that could hide him from the law forever. The procedure is overseen by the morally ambiguous Dr. H. L. Buler, while a young nurse named Mary McCall watches closely, recognizing the man behind the new mask the moment the bandages are lifted. The transformation leaves him bearing a strikingly different and unexpectedly alluring visage, a change that sets the tone for a story that balances raw underworld grit with the seductive glare of the spotlight.

With his former identity erased, Dawson adopts the polished alias Spencer Dutro and steps into the glittering world of Hollywood’s studio system. Here, press agents, starlets, and studio executives swirl around him, each eager to craft the next big sensation. Among them, the charismatic press agent Joe Haynes spins publicity like a magician, while the poised actress Sheila Barry represents the very image of classic cinema elegance. The bustling lot, the rehearsal halls, and the glossy back‑lot become a new hunting ground where a former outlaw must learn the rules of a different kind of performance.

As Dutro navigates this glossy façade, Mary reappears, offering a peculiar mentorship that goes beyond mere survival. She introduces him to the nuances of femininity and social grace, teaching him how to read and be read by the women who populate his new universe. Their uneasy alliance highlights a clash of worlds: the harsh practicality of a life once ruled by crime and the delicate art of illusion that fuels the film industry’s dream machine.

The film moves through shadows and spotlights alike, drawing viewers into a tense, almost satirical dance between identity and image. It asks whether a man can truly rewrite himself when every reflection—whether in a mirror, a camera lens, or another’s gaze—reminds him of the past he is trying to forget.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 10:13

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Movies about criminals hiding in plain sight like Another Face

Wanted outlaws hide in plain sight within the glamorous and deceptive world of celebrity.If you enjoyed the tense premise of Another Face, you'll like these movies where wanted fugitives use the spotlight of fame as their best disguise. Discover similar crime dramas and thrillers about deception, vanity, and the dangerous game of hiding in Hollywood.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives typically begin with a criminal on the run who adopts a new, highly public identity. The plot revolves around the psychological strain of maintaining the deception, the close calls with exposure, and the moral compromises made to preserve a glamorous but fragile new life.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by the unique tension generated from a high-risk hiding strategy. They share a mood of anxious glamour, a steady pacing that builds suspense, and a thematic focus on the duality of identity and the corrupting influence of fame.

Movies about the price of a new identity like Another Face

Stories of radical self-reinvention that come with a heavy moral and emotional price.Fans of Another Face will appreciate these stories about the heavy cost of radical change. Explore similar dramas and thrillers where characters surgically or symbolically reinvent themselves, only to find that their past—and their conscience—isn't so easy to leave behind.

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Narrative Summary

The central pattern involves a protagonist who believes a drastic change—like plastic surgery, a new name, or a different life—will solve their problems. The story then examines the psychological turmoil, the severed connections, and the inevitable confrontation with the life they tried to erase, often leading to a bittersweet resolution.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a core theme of identity crisis and the illusion of a clean slate. They possess a medium emotional weight, a steady, character-driven pace, and a tone that balances tense suspense with melancholic reflection on the true cost of transformation.

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Another Face Summary

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Another Face Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Another Face

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Another Face

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