I've seen this film twice now and I've come to the same conclusion: it could have been so much better had the film-makers left out the stereotypes. For instance: Maureen O'Sullivan's character falls in love with the obnoxious character played by Norman Foster. Why? Because he offers to marry her and she is so anxious to do so? She doesn't care who she marries? How did she get over her initial instincts to reject him? Does anyone know a woman who could be wooed by a jerk who takes her things to keep her from leaving and can't take 'NO' for an answer? That whole subplot was ridiculous to say the least and it so dominated the picture that the interesting parts were completely overshadowed.
To be truthful the film does have its good points. The relationship between Dwight (Warren William) and his wife (Hedda Hopper) and mistress (Verree Teasdale) is very adult and handled well. Although the stock swindle is on the simplistic side at least it exposed stockbrokers and financiers for the unethical thieves we now take for granted. The dynamic between the diamond broker (Jean Hersholt) and the model (Anita Page) is also very well done and it's resolution is among the high points of the film and sentimental to boot.
In the acting department William outdid himself. His character is absolutely despicable and I can't think of a better actor to play the part. Of the rest the female leads (O'Sullivan, Page, Teasdale) were all well acted but it was William who was the indisputable star and the film is worth looking at just for him.
To be truthful the film does have its good points. The relationship between Dwight (Warren William) and his wife (Hedda Hopper) and mistress (Verree Teasdale) is very adult and handled well. Although the stock swindle is on the simplistic side at least it exposed stockbrokers and financiers for the unethical thieves we now take for granted. The dynamic between the diamond broker (Jean Hersholt) and the model (Anita Page) is also very well done and it's resolution is among the high points of the film and sentimental to boot.
In the acting department William outdid himself. His character is absolutely despicable and I can't think of a better actor to play the part. Of the rest the female leads (O'Sullivan, Page, Teasdale) were all well acted but it was William who was the indisputable star and the film is worth looking at just for him.