Ladies They Talk About (1933) Plot Summary Explained

Nan's cover is blown when a policeman who had arrested her before recognizes her during the bank heist. She had been arrested previously, and the officer identifies her despite her attempt to pose as a regular customer distracting the security guard.

• nan taylor arrest
• bank robbery
• policeman recognizes her

Reform-minded radio star David Slade falls in love with Nan after her arrest. He uses his influence to secure her release as a favor from District Attorney Simpson, believing he can help her reform and start a new life.

• david slade
• nan taylor
• love
• district attorney simpson

After winning her freedom, Nan confesses to District Attorney Simpson that she is guilty of the bank robbery. Because she admits her crime, Simpson has no choice but to send her to San Quentin State Prison instead of letting her go.

• nan taylor
• confession
• san quentin
• prison

Nan believes Slade turned in her bank-robber accomplices to the authorities. This belief stems from her arrest and imprisonment despite his efforts to free her, leading her to conclude he was responsible for her gang being caught.

• nan taylor
• david slade
• betrayal
• accomplices

Lefty, Susie's bank accomplice, visits Nan in prison and asks her to map the women's section and copy the matron's key. He explains that Don is imprisoned in the men's section on the other side of the wall, and they need access through the women's side to break him out.

• escape plan
• san quentin
• lefty
• don
• women's section

Don is shot dead as he reaches Nan's cell to rescue her during the escape attempt. The plan goes wrong, resulting in Don's death and leaving Nan still imprisoned.

• don
• shot
• escape attempt
• nan cell

Nan attends Slade's revival meeting seeking revenge, believing he betrayed her accomplices to the police. When they are alone in a back room, she accuses him of turning in her bank-robber friends and shoots him in the arm.

• nan shoots slade
• revival meeting
• revenge

Despite shooting Slade in the arm, the two reconcile and decide to marry. The film leaves their relationship ambiguous, possibly due to Nan's realization that Slade may not have betrayed her, or perhaps the traumatic events force both to confront their genuine feelings for each other.

Foreshadowing: Sister Susie watches through the keyhole as Nan shoots Slade, suggesting the violence and revelation will have consequences.

• nan
• slade
• marry
• reconciliation
• ending

Sister Susie develops romantic feelings for Slade and becomes jealous when Nan spurns his letters and attention. Susie resents Nan for refusing Slade's affection, which creates tension between the two inmates.

• sister susie
• slade
• jealousy
• nan

Following Don's failed escape attempt and death, Nan receives an additional year in prison and is denied visitor privileges. This isolation hardens her resolve against Slade and contributes to her desire for revenge.

• nan
• visitors
• additional year
• punishment

Lefty is the bank accomplice of Sister Susie, and he visits Nan at San Quentin to propose an escape route. Since Don is imprisoned in the men's section, they need Nan to map the women's section and copy the matron's key so the men can escape through the women's side of the prison.

• lefty
• escape plan
• susie
• don
• san quentin