Copyright 15 February 1937 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp. New York opening at the Capitol: 18 February 1937. U.S. release: 19 February 1937. 98 minutes. (Warner Archive has a 10/10 DVD).
SYNOPSIS: Although she poses as a prominent socialite, the charming and fashionable Mrs Cheyney (Joan Crawford) is actually a jewel thief who takes advantage of invitations to aristocratic homes, such as that of Lord Kelton (Frank Morgan), to spy out the lay of the land. Her partner, Charles (William Powell), believes he has complete control over Mrs Cheyney, but his dominance is threatened by a young man-about-town (Robert Montgomery) who falls in love with her.
NOTES: The last film directed by Richard Boleslawski, who died before the picture was completed. A re-make of the 1929 film directed by Sidney Franklin, starring Norma Shearer, George Barraud and Basil Rathbone. The costumes were designed by Adrian. The stage play opened in London at the St James on 22 September 1925, running a hugely successful 514 performances. Gladys Cooper played Mrs Cheyney, Ronald Squire was Charles, and Gerald du Maurier, Arthur. On Broadway at the Fulton from 9 November 1925, the play chalked up a very successful 283 performances. Ina Claire played Mrs Cheyney, A.E. Matthews was Charles, and Roland Young, Arthur. M-G-M re-made the film in 1951 as The Law and the Lady with Greer Garson as a re-vamped Mrs Cheyney, Michael Wilding as his lordship, and Fernando Lamas, the equivalent of Charles. COMMENT: Joan Crawford gives such a luminous performance in the title role as to put all the other players, except Frank Morgan and Bob Montgomery, firmly in the shade. Mind you, Jessie Ralph can stand up to Joan, but her role of course is a subsidiary one and she has her best scene at the climax when Crawford is mostly off-camera. Morgan has a grand time in a typical role, whilst Montgomery is a revelation in what is basically an unsympathetic part. He even manages to steal scenes from Bill Powell, whose role here is often to act as an astute stooge - which he does with great finesse and charm. We also liked Benita Hume's adulterous wife, while Nigel Bruce grandly enacts his usual character of a blithely aristocratic ass. The picture is entrancingly photographed, stylishly directed and most attractively set.
NOTES: The last film directed by Richard Boleslawski, who died before the picture was completed. A re-make of the 1929 film directed by Sidney Franklin, starring Norma Shearer, George Barraud and Basil Rathbone. The costumes were designed by Adrian. The stage play opened in London at the St James on 22 September 1925, running a hugely successful 514 performances. Gladys Cooper played Mrs Cheyney, Ronald Squire was Charles, and Gerald du Maurier, Arthur. On Broadway at the Fulton from 9 November 1925, the play chalked up a very successful 283 performances. Ina Claire played Mrs Cheyney, A.E. Matthews was Charles, and Roland Young, Arthur. M-G-M re-made the film in 1951 as The Law and the Lady with Greer Garson as a re-vamped Mrs Cheyney, Michael Wilding as his lordship, and Fernando Lamas, the equivalent of Charles. COMMENT: Joan Crawford gives such a luminous performance in the title role as to put all the other players, except Frank Morgan and Bob Montgomery, firmly in the shade. Mind you, Jessie Ralph can stand up to Joan, but her role of course is a subsidiary one and she has her best scene at the climax when Crawford is mostly off-camera. Morgan has a grand time in a typical role, whilst Montgomery is a revelation in what is basically an unsympathetic part. He even manages to steal scenes from Bill Powell, whose role here is often to act as an astute stooge - which he does with great finesse and charm. We also liked Benita Hume's adulterous wife, while Nigel Bruce grandly enacts his usual character of a blithely aristocratic ass. The picture is entrancingly photographed, stylishly directed and most attractively set.