This is a very watchable film, but it does feel very dated, which not all films made in this time frame (1937) do. It isn't just that it depicts action in 1937, it's just the way the film was made. But, again, that doesn't make it not-watchable...it's quite entertaining.
The romantic drama -- despite what some reviews say -- does not have elements of "comedy", although like most of life, does have some humor in it. It's about a love triangle among an obsessive and abusive businessman (Colin Clive), his wife (Jean Arthur), and a French headwaiter (Charles Boyer). Clive murders to save his pathetic marriage, and is more than willing to pin the crime on Boyer, who travels to American to pursue the woman he has fallen in love with. Leo Carrillo portrays Boyer's friend -- miscast as a French chef -- although he does rather nicely.
Colin Clive shows himself to be a not very appealing actor here, and it has nothing to do with his evil character. He just seems rather limited, and perhaps he would be more at home in silent films. He hadn't improved much since playing Dr. Frankenstein in the horror classic six years earlier. He died later the year this was made from alcoholism and TB.
Jean Arthur is interesting here in that she is a very far different actress from the comedies we often associate her with...and she is so good. This film was made near the beginning of her most successful period of acting.
Boyer is remarkably good here, and I say that as someone who has never been overly impressed with him...though he is always "good". He seems the least dated of all the actors in the film. Very appealing.
But the highlight of the film is the sudden twist the story takes late in the action. The special effects are a bit primitive (could I have ice cubes with that sinking?), but the way the story comes to a conclusion is really quite clever and ties into the plot surprisingly well.
This is a wonderful film! Savor it!
The romantic drama -- despite what some reviews say -- does not have elements of "comedy", although like most of life, does have some humor in it. It's about a love triangle among an obsessive and abusive businessman (Colin Clive), his wife (Jean Arthur), and a French headwaiter (Charles Boyer). Clive murders to save his pathetic marriage, and is more than willing to pin the crime on Boyer, who travels to American to pursue the woman he has fallen in love with. Leo Carrillo portrays Boyer's friend -- miscast as a French chef -- although he does rather nicely.
Colin Clive shows himself to be a not very appealing actor here, and it has nothing to do with his evil character. He just seems rather limited, and perhaps he would be more at home in silent films. He hadn't improved much since playing Dr. Frankenstein in the horror classic six years earlier. He died later the year this was made from alcoholism and TB.
Jean Arthur is interesting here in that she is a very far different actress from the comedies we often associate her with...and she is so good. This film was made near the beginning of her most successful period of acting.
Boyer is remarkably good here, and I say that as someone who has never been overly impressed with him...though he is always "good". He seems the least dated of all the actors in the film. Very appealing.
But the highlight of the film is the sudden twist the story takes late in the action. The special effects are a bit primitive (could I have ice cubes with that sinking?), but the way the story comes to a conclusion is really quite clever and ties into the plot surprisingly well.
This is a wonderful film! Savor it!