I found it interesting in the scene where Walter is coming on to her, she says "I'm Muddy's WOMAN" and not "I'm Muddy's WIFE".
share
I think you mean "Geneva" and yes they were married.
Well, you're a wanna-be, wanna be better than me!
Unless I missed something in the movie, I don't think they were legally married. Just a common law marriage.
shareAn established common-law marriage IS a legal marriage, if they act like a married couple and present themselves as married in a state that recognizes common-law marriage. If they're not in a state that recognizes common-law marriage, they're just shacking up if there is no legal ceremony, regardless of how long they live together.
As far as I know, only 9 states recognize common-law marriage, though things might have been different back then.
Get me a bromide! And put some gin in it!