A prosecutor trying a case where a husband shot his adulterous wife begins to suspect that his own wife is having an affair, and starts to have his own thoughts about killing her.A prosecutor trying a case where a husband shot his adulterous wife begins to suspect that his own wife is having an affair, and starts to have his own thoughts about killing her.A prosecutor trying a case where a husband shot his adulterous wife begins to suspect that his own wife is having an affair, and starts to have his own thoughts about killing her.
Photos
J. Anthony Hughes
- Murphy
- (as Anthony Hughes)
Mark Daniels
- Reporter
- (uncredited)
Matty Fain
- Joseph Patterson
- (uncredited)
James Flavin
- Jenks - Chauffeur
- (uncredited)
Jack Gardner
- Reporter
- (uncredited)
William Gould
- Prison Warden
- (uncredited)
John Harmon
- Gangster Hitman
- (uncredited)
Grace Hayle
- Lady in Courtroom
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaRalph Morgan's brother Frank Morgan starred in the original version, The Kiss Before the Mirror (1933), albeit in a different role.
- GoofsWhen Lucy Stowell walks over to the telephone to take a call, she throws the newspaper down on the floor in disgust, and it lands about a foot away from the edge of the rug. She leaves the newspaper there, and goes upstairs. When her husband enters the house a minute later, the newspaper is now positioned at the edge of the rug.
- Quotes
Lucy Stowell: [In reference to dimwitted black cook Creola] At least she can cook, which is more than you can say for most of them.
- ConnectionsEdited into Haunted Hollywood: Wives Under Suspicion (2016)
Featured review
WIVES UNDER SUSPICION (James Whale, 1938) **1/2
While this film doesn't seem to have impressed Michael much, I found it somewhat better than SINNERS IN PARADISE (1938) though, obviously, not quite in the same league as Whale's irreproachable horror output.
The film's plot, though essentially contrived, makes for a very interesting melodrama: actually, this was a remake of the same director's THE KISS BEFORE THE MIRROR (1933) and the only review I could find called it "tame and uninspired" when compared to the "more visually striking" Pre-Code original (that was apparently shot on leftover sets from Whale's own FRANKENSTEIN [1931]!) - all of which makes me want to watch the 1933 film even more...
Despite its 'B' picture status, however, the film is stylishly handled by a master craftsman (right from the opening credit sequence) with special care given to camera-work, lighting and décor - not to mention the recurring use of montages; in fact, the latter sequences - along with the hectic pace and the theme itself - recalled some of the social conscience films being made contemporaneously by Warner Bros.! Warren William and Ralph Morgan give solid performances and their scenes together - particularly the latter's confession and the subsequent trial - are certainly among the film's highlights. Unfortunately, however, as was the case with the blackface scene from Whale's own REMEMBER LAST NIGHT? (1935), the film's stereotyped depiction of William's black maid would, most probably, not go down well with today's audiences!
While I never really understood why certain directors needed to remake their own films, I'm certainly glad it happened in this case - particularly since the original doesn't seem to be readily available (a regrettable situation with regards to most of Whale's non-horror titles!), but also because his second stab at the story has certainly made for a pretty good film in its own right.
The film's plot, though essentially contrived, makes for a very interesting melodrama: actually, this was a remake of the same director's THE KISS BEFORE THE MIRROR (1933) and the only review I could find called it "tame and uninspired" when compared to the "more visually striking" Pre-Code original (that was apparently shot on leftover sets from Whale's own FRANKENSTEIN [1931]!) - all of which makes me want to watch the 1933 film even more...
Despite its 'B' picture status, however, the film is stylishly handled by a master craftsman (right from the opening credit sequence) with special care given to camera-work, lighting and décor - not to mention the recurring use of montages; in fact, the latter sequences - along with the hectic pace and the theme itself - recalled some of the social conscience films being made contemporaneously by Warner Bros.! Warren William and Ralph Morgan give solid performances and their scenes together - particularly the latter's confession and the subsequent trial - are certainly among the film's highlights. Unfortunately, however, as was the case with the blackface scene from Whale's own REMEMBER LAST NIGHT? (1935), the film's stereotyped depiction of William's black maid would, most probably, not go down well with today's audiences!
While I never really understood why certain directors needed to remake their own films, I'm certainly glad it happened in this case - particularly since the original doesn't seem to be readily available (a regrettable situation with regards to most of Whale's non-horror titles!), but also because his second stab at the story has certainly made for a pretty good film in its own right.
helpful•96
- Bunuel1976
- Apr 28, 2006
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $220,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 9 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
Top Gap
By what name was Wives Under Suspicion (1938) officially released in Canada in English?
Answer