When film is great, you can watch it over and over, but when a film becomes a work of art, it deserves to be seen in a museum. Claude Rains delivers a performance that is as much a work of art as any statue or painting, and with the script and direction of Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, this film enters the cannon of the all time greats, one that's unfortunately been forgotten.
As seen preparing for a day in court, Rains is overly certain that once again, he'll prevail with an innocent verdict even though it's more for him than the unseen client he loathes. The film deals more with his social life, his affair with cabaret singer Margo while seeing a more glamorous woman (Whitney Bourne) who's part of high society. Margo is barely above vaudeville or burlesque, and thus only worthy of a good time and nothing permanent. Her neuroses when he tries to end it results in her accidental death and his determination not to be implicated in murder.
The film will always be remembered by those who see it for the presence of the furies in the opening segment, flying around laughing maniacally as they manipulate men into sinning. Fanny Brice has a major uncredited role as Margo's friend who isn't fond of Rains, certainly nothing close to her image from "Funny Girl" even though she's in her Baby Snooks outfit.
I did catch Marjorie Main in her non-speaking extra role, but Helen Hayes not visible at all. Esther Dale has good lines as Rains' unfiltered secretary, very funny. Good special effects and psychological themes adds to the greatness of this film, up there with "Blood Money" and "A Kiss Before the Mirror" of pre-code dramas barely remembered that should be classics. Rains is completely worthy of the Oscar here, delightfully smarmy as an incurable meglomaniac.
As seen preparing for a day in court, Rains is overly certain that once again, he'll prevail with an innocent verdict even though it's more for him than the unseen client he loathes. The film deals more with his social life, his affair with cabaret singer Margo while seeing a more glamorous woman (Whitney Bourne) who's part of high society. Margo is barely above vaudeville or burlesque, and thus only worthy of a good time and nothing permanent. Her neuroses when he tries to end it results in her accidental death and his determination not to be implicated in murder.
The film will always be remembered by those who see it for the presence of the furies in the opening segment, flying around laughing maniacally as they manipulate men into sinning. Fanny Brice has a major uncredited role as Margo's friend who isn't fond of Rains, certainly nothing close to her image from "Funny Girl" even though she's in her Baby Snooks outfit.
I did catch Marjorie Main in her non-speaking extra role, but Helen Hayes not visible at all. Esther Dale has good lines as Rains' unfiltered secretary, very funny. Good special effects and psychological themes adds to the greatness of this film, up there with "Blood Money" and "A Kiss Before the Mirror" of pre-code dramas barely remembered that should be classics. Rains is completely worthy of the Oscar here, delightfully smarmy as an incurable meglomaniac.