Paramount had high hopes for Claudette when she was signed in 1928. She had, by bad luck, been in a string of unsuccessful Broadway plays (except for "The Barker") and was now eager to try her hand at the movies. Before "Manslaughter" it hadn't looked promising - she had supported Edward G. Robinson in a very creaky stage bound crime movie, then played "the girl" as Maurice Chevalier went through his bag of tricks in "The Big Pond" and was also in the French language version of "Slightly Scarlet". But when Clara Bow's personal problems forced Paramount to replace her with Claudette in the upcoming "Manslaughter", Colbert grabbed the meaty role with both hands. It may have been an out-dated melodrama but with credentials that included being a remake of a Cecil B. DeMille silent blockbuster, it was a chance for her to tackle an A class production.
Lydia Thorne (Colbert) is a spoiled rich girl who is heedless of the sober advice of her beloved aunt "Bennie" (Emma Dunn) as she sets out for a wild week-end in her roadster!! And what a ride it is, weaving in between traffic, racing a train, bribing an officer who tries to give her a ticket - she is riding for a fall!! She meets up and coming D.A. Dan O'Bannon (Frederic March) who around the dinner table espouses his views of justice for rich and poor alike - it doesn't go down too well with the country club set. Reality starts to filter into Lydia's privileged life - the young officer goes to O'Bannon with Lydia's bracelet claiming she tried to use it as a bribe, then her maid is found to have robbed the safe which contains Lydia's jewels, Lydia says the jewels don't mean a thing to her and she will go to the trial to testify in Louisa's defense but she forgets and the maid is sentenced to years imprisonment. Then there is another episode of "race the policeman", Lydia jack-knifes her car hoping to send the same young constable sprawling!! He does but unfortunately is pronounced dead at the hospital and suddenly Lydia finds herself facing a manslaughter charge and years in prison!!
Claudette really rose to the occasion once Lydia dropped her flippancy and put on her "martyred" mantel and also showed why she was a bit different from other Paramount stars of the time (Bow, Carroll, Chatterton) - she was believable in what ever she was given and didn't seem to make bad career choices as far as parts went. In prison Lydia comes face to face with her maid who after becoming involved in a prison brawl, extends a helping hand.
Lydia leaves prison (after 3 years) chastened but believing that Dan had promotional motives for sending her "up the river" - not realising he put his job on the line to secure her a pardon and she is now striving to get Louise released. An excellent film and as usual Claudette is just terrific in a demanding role.
Highly Recommended.
Lydia Thorne (Colbert) is a spoiled rich girl who is heedless of the sober advice of her beloved aunt "Bennie" (Emma Dunn) as she sets out for a wild week-end in her roadster!! And what a ride it is, weaving in between traffic, racing a train, bribing an officer who tries to give her a ticket - she is riding for a fall!! She meets up and coming D.A. Dan O'Bannon (Frederic March) who around the dinner table espouses his views of justice for rich and poor alike - it doesn't go down too well with the country club set. Reality starts to filter into Lydia's privileged life - the young officer goes to O'Bannon with Lydia's bracelet claiming she tried to use it as a bribe, then her maid is found to have robbed the safe which contains Lydia's jewels, Lydia says the jewels don't mean a thing to her and she will go to the trial to testify in Louisa's defense but she forgets and the maid is sentenced to years imprisonment. Then there is another episode of "race the policeman", Lydia jack-knifes her car hoping to send the same young constable sprawling!! He does but unfortunately is pronounced dead at the hospital and suddenly Lydia finds herself facing a manslaughter charge and years in prison!!
Claudette really rose to the occasion once Lydia dropped her flippancy and put on her "martyred" mantel and also showed why she was a bit different from other Paramount stars of the time (Bow, Carroll, Chatterton) - she was believable in what ever she was given and didn't seem to make bad career choices as far as parts went. In prison Lydia comes face to face with her maid who after becoming involved in a prison brawl, extends a helping hand.
Lydia leaves prison (after 3 years) chastened but believing that Dan had promotional motives for sending her "up the river" - not realising he put his job on the line to secure her a pardon and she is now striving to get Louise released. An excellent film and as usual Claudette is just terrific in a demanding role.
Highly Recommended.