The Headline Woman (1935)

Directed by William Nigh and produced by Mascot Pictures, The Headline Woman is a fast-paced crime drama that blends journalism, romance, and a murder mystery. Released by Republic Pictures, the film was also known in the UK as The Woman in the Case. It’s a classic example of 1930s B-movie storytelling, with a strong female lead and a newsroom backdrop that adds urgency and grit.

Plot Summary
Myrna Van Buren (Heather Angel), the daughter of a powerful newspaper publisher, is falsely accused of murder. Rather than face arrest, she goes into hiding—with none other than Bob Grayson (Roger Pryor), a reporter from her father’s paper who sees the situation as a chance for an exclusive story. As the two evade police and dig into the real killer’s identity, their relationship deepens, and the chase intensifies. The film builds toward a tense resolution that pits loyalty against ambition.

Cast Highlights

• Heather Angel as Myrna Van Buren
• Roger Pryor as Bob Grayson
• Ford Sterling as Hugo Meyer
• Conway Tearle as Police Commissioner Desmond
• Jack La Rue as Phil Zarias
• Franklin Pangborn, Ward Bond, and George “Gabby” Hayes in memorable supporting roles

Behind-the-Scenes Trivia

• The film aired on early American television as far back as October 14, 1944, on New York’s WNBT (Channel 1), and later in cities like Washington, Cincinnati, and Dallas
• It takes 30 minutes before a female character speaks—Heather Angel’s voice marks the first female dialogue in the film
• The screenplay was co-written by Jack Natteford and Claire Church, based on an original story by both
• The film runs approximately 76 minutes, typical for Mascot’s feature-length productions