Evelyn Prentice (1934)

Directed by William K. Howard, with a screenplay by Lenore J. Coffee that was based on the novel by W.E. Woodward, this mystery drama is clever enough to hold one's interest until the final act, when the law goes out the window and incredulity reigns. It was actually the third film (ever and) from that year to team William Powell and Myrna Loy, who plays the title role.Evelyn Prentice (Loy) is the wife of a successful and well known, workaholic defense attorney, John (Powell), who specializes in helping women, like Mrs. Nancy Harrison (Rosalind Russell, who appears briefly as one such woman, in her screen debut), avoid conviction. When Mrs. Harrison insists on showing Prentice gratitude for her acquittal, Evelyn gets the wrong idea, which leads her into a brief if initially innocent situation with a conniving poet named Larry Kennard (Harvey Stephens). Thanks to Evelyn's interfering and visiting friend Amy Drexel (Una Merkel), Prentice gets wind of his wife's discontent and suspicions; he plans a 6 month 'reconciliation' European cruise for he, his wife, and their precocious 7 year old Dorothy (Cora Sue Collins). But Kennard learns of this through the society papers and with Evelyn's letters to him, whose meaning could be misinterpreted, he attempts to blackmail her for $15,000. She sees a gun in his desk drawer and demands her letters. Downstairs, Lennard's jealous girlfriend Judith Wilson (Isabel Jewell) hears a shot ring out, but fails to see Evelyn, holding a handkerchief to her mouth, escaping down the front stairs. Ms. Wilson is accused of killing Kennard. Evelyn, who has a "too be explained" cut on her mouth, insists that they cancel their cruise so that her husband might defend Ms. Wilson.An unbelievable trial ensues, one without much credibility to begin with that gets even more implausible, breaking all legal procedure and protocol, as it proceeds; Frank Conroy plays District Attorney Farley. Edward Brophy plays a brief, yet memorable role as Prentice's assistant Eddie Delaney; Jessie Ralph plays an even briefer role as Mrs. Blake, a witness to Evelyn's exit who keeps quiet in hopes of some future remuneration. Herman Bing appears uncredited as an antiques dealer named Klein, the scene that makes Brophy's role memorable. Billy Gilbert appears uncredited as a café owner, Samuel Hinds as a party guest.Remade as Stronger than Desire (1939) with Virginia Bruce, Walter Pidgeon, Lee Bowman, and Ann Dvorak.

I had passed up this movie many times after reading mixed reviews, but taking a closer look at those involved realized it just had to be seen. Glad I did, was compelled all the way.Over the top plot...? maybe so, but maybe not. I've mostly liked the screenplays of Lenore Coffee ~ notably: "Four Daughters" in '38. The long lost: "The Way of all Flesh" '40 (one of those many Paramount gems that got swallowed up in a deal by MCA TV then largely ignored! shameful.) Then in '52 "Sudden Fear", just a few among many. Under versatile director William K. Howard's hand, this story carries the thoughtful viewer through a variety of complex, moody situations. The treatment given to family values is possibly as good as any you may see in a 30's film...especially given the fact it's a story about neglect, infidelity, and murder.Reviewers rave about Powell and Loy in their 'Thin Man' movies (these are fine within their genre) but this film offers up a worthwhile study of the pitfalls within our own human condition, with its temptations, ego, and various commitments. With an interesting original story as a starting point, paired with Coffee's intelligent screen adaptation, then backed up by convincing performers (Isabel Jewell is especially good during the courtroom scenes) these elements mostly add up to delivering first class entertainment that moves along fast enough as not to outstay its welcome. There's also a night club treat featuring a performance of the old standard "Me and My Shadow" that should delight any musical eyes and ears. There's a reoccurring aspect of some early film studio's product that's a little difficult to understand...and it appears to be a possible miss-reading of the majority of their intended target audiences living conditions. They persisted in choosing overly opulent settings for a vast number of story characters - while the larger audience population was beset with debt or poverty. Seems perhaps America may have been selling an image to the world, while ignoring their own even larger struggling class. Putting this aside, take a look, if you enjoy well made 30's drama, you could just find this pleasing, even quite special.Foot Note: Good to see TCM Australia giving us more newly added titles, also good to note they are replacing some of their earlier bad focus prints with re-masted quality. Although, other copies of classics such as "Border Incident" and Mystery Street" remain, at the time of this writing, in bad need of replacing. It would also be a treat for its subscribers if TCM put aside the wailing of various industry eccentric's and gave its viewing public the chance to see some of their better 'colorized' prints...especially the musicals, after all, what audience ever really needed a B/W musical? KenR..............

Despite the presence of stars Myrna Loy and William Powell (not to mention Rosalind Russell in her brief film debut), supporting player Isabel Jewell's performance is easily the most memorable in this drama. Powell plays a prominent lawyer, and Jewell plays a potential client, one who can't afford his serves as much as the glamorous socialite played by Russell. The legendary Loy has some fine scenes, but she really isn't given much of a chance to change her somber demeanor throughout the picture. There isn't really much action in this film, just a few well-placed confrontations and plot devices to keep up a modest amount of suspense, plenty enough to hold ones interest in a short running time. Films of this era didn't have to rely on spectacle or sensation to be good, and this is one example.

This is a great 1934 film which had a great deal of mystery and entertainment right to the very end of the film. John Prentice, (William Powell), played the role as a very famous lawyer who was always busy with plenty of his clients and his wife was, Evelyn Prentice, (Myrna Loy). Evelyn Prentice had a small daughter and the family was very happy, but John was constantly busy all the time and Evelyn is approached by a man who seems to charm her and tempt her into some sort of a relationship with him. At the same time, John defended a very rich client and was able to free her from any judgments in a car accident and this client showered John with all kinds of affection and wanted to have an affair with him. There is a murder which occurs and turns this film completely around and takes the story in another direction. Please don't miss this film, it is just plain great to view and enjoy with great acting by Myrna Loy and William Powell.