I have often read about early sound "drawing room" comedies and "tea cup" dramas and now I have seen one. Studios thought this was what the movie going public wanted to see - filmed plays where stage stars stood around in different rooms speaking lines very clearly. Suddenly silent star favourites were out and any actor who had had a speaking part in a Broadway production was treated like a superstar!!! Ruth Chatterton had been a big stage star, "Come Out of the Kitchen" (later a Nancy Carroll film "Honey"), and "Daddy Long Legs" were just a couple of her hits, but in the 1920s Hollywood only wanted her husband, Ralph Forbes (who also had a beautiful speaking voice - see him in "The Phantom Broadcast"). In 1929 it was a different story and Paramount welcomed her with "Charming Sinners" which was based on W. Somerset Maugham's "The Constant Wife". Ruth Chatterton received a new lease of life when talking films could display her stage trained voice.
Ann Marie (Mary Nolan) is having a scintillating affair with Robert Mills (Clive Brook) - the only problem is he is married to her best friend Kathryn (Ruth Chatterton). They are seen by Mrs Carr's party (Laura Hope Crewes is seen to much better advantage in "The Silver Cord" (1933)) and waste no time in going to Kathryn's to tell her. The only thing is Kathryn has already seen them together and has waylaid Ann Marie's husband George into taking her shopping to prevent a scene.
There are some quite witty lines in the film. "Helen has come out - and gone in again" - Mrs. Carr, talking about her daughters' coming out. "All men are little boys - Robert just needs a spanking!!!" - Kathryn giving Ann Marie advice about men.
Karl (William Powell) enters the scene - he loved Kathryn before she married Robert and has never stopped loving her. Meanwhile George has found Robert's cigarette case - under Ann Marie's pillow!!! Ann Marie visits Robert at his surgery, worried that George suspects their affair and unfortunately Kathryn overhears. George comes to the surgery brandishing the cigarette case but Kathryn saves the day by claiming the case was left by her. Everyone is grateful but Kathryn is plotting her revenge.
Clive Brook does what he can with his role - Robert is supposed to be a stuffy hypocrite - why Kathryn wants to save her marriage is a real mystery. William Powell doesn't have much to do. The two standouts for me are Ruth Chatterton and Mary Nolan. Mary Nolan is super as Ann Marie and, I felt, really understood her role - it was unfortunate that she didn't have a bigger career. Most people know Mary Nolan's story. A beautiful Follies girl who attracted men who delighted in beating her up!!! Sacked from the Follies for creating too many scandals she went to Europe where she became a top movie star. Coming back to the States, her astonishing beauty got her a contract with Universal. "Charming Sinners" was her last good film and showed she could hold her own among top stars. Drugs took hold and by 1932 she was finished in films and in trouble with the law. "Charming Sinners" is a rare chance to see the fragile beauty of Mary Nolan.
Recommended.
Ann Marie (Mary Nolan) is having a scintillating affair with Robert Mills (Clive Brook) - the only problem is he is married to her best friend Kathryn (Ruth Chatterton). They are seen by Mrs Carr's party (Laura Hope Crewes is seen to much better advantage in "The Silver Cord" (1933)) and waste no time in going to Kathryn's to tell her. The only thing is Kathryn has already seen them together and has waylaid Ann Marie's husband George into taking her shopping to prevent a scene.
There are some quite witty lines in the film. "Helen has come out - and gone in again" - Mrs. Carr, talking about her daughters' coming out. "All men are little boys - Robert just needs a spanking!!!" - Kathryn giving Ann Marie advice about men.
Karl (William Powell) enters the scene - he loved Kathryn before she married Robert and has never stopped loving her. Meanwhile George has found Robert's cigarette case - under Ann Marie's pillow!!! Ann Marie visits Robert at his surgery, worried that George suspects their affair and unfortunately Kathryn overhears. George comes to the surgery brandishing the cigarette case but Kathryn saves the day by claiming the case was left by her. Everyone is grateful but Kathryn is plotting her revenge.
Clive Brook does what he can with his role - Robert is supposed to be a stuffy hypocrite - why Kathryn wants to save her marriage is a real mystery. William Powell doesn't have much to do. The two standouts for me are Ruth Chatterton and Mary Nolan. Mary Nolan is super as Ann Marie and, I felt, really understood her role - it was unfortunate that she didn't have a bigger career. Most people know Mary Nolan's story. A beautiful Follies girl who attracted men who delighted in beating her up!!! Sacked from the Follies for creating too many scandals she went to Europe where she became a top movie star. Coming back to the States, her astonishing beauty got her a contract with Universal. "Charming Sinners" was her last good film and showed she could hold her own among top stars. Drugs took hold and by 1932 she was finished in films and in trouble with the law. "Charming Sinners" is a rare chance to see the fragile beauty of Mary Nolan.
Recommended.