The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1929)

Director:

Sidney Franklin

Writers:

Frederick Lonsdale (play)
Hanns Kräly (continuity) ...
(more)

Release Date:

6 July 1929 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

There is a big charity function at the house of Mrs. Cheyney and a lot of society is present. With her rich husband...

Plot Keywords:

Pearl | Thief | Australian | Deception | Con Artist

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Norma Shearer	...	Fay Cheyney
Basil Rathbone	...	Lord Arthur Dilling
George Barraud	...	Charles
Herbert Bunston	...	Lord Elton
Hedda Hopper	...	Lady Maria
Moon Carroll	...	Joan
Madeline Seymour	...	Mrs. Mattie Wynton
Cyril Chadwick	...	Willie Wynton
George K. Arthur	...	George
Frank Finch Smiles	...	William 'Bill' O'Dare (as Finch Smiles)
Maude Turner Gordon	...	Mrs. Webley
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
John Batten	...	Guest (uncredited)
Scott McKee	...	Bit Role (uncredited)

Directed by
Sidney Franklin

Writing credits
Frederick Lonsdale		(play)
Hanns Kräly		(continuity) (as Hans Kraly) &
Claudine West		(continuity)

Produced by
Irving Thalberg	....	producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
William Axt		(uncredited)

Cinematography by
William H. Daniels		(as William Daniels)

Film Editing by
Conrad A. Nervig

Art Direction by
Cedric Gibbons

Set Decoration by
Edwin B. Willis		(uncredited)

Costume Design by
Adrian		(gowns)

Art Department
Urie McCleary	....	associate art director (uncredited)

Sound Department
Douglas Shearer	....	sound recording engineer
G.A. Burns	....	sound recording engineer (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (controlled by Loew's Inc.)

Distributors

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1929) (USA) (theatrical)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric System)

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | USA:Passed (National Board of Review)

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

The play opened in London, England, UK on 22 September 1925 and on Broadway in New York City, New York, USA on 9 November 1925. The Broadway production had 385 performances with an opening cast including Helen Hayes, Roland Young, Felix Aylmer, Ina Clare, Winifred Harris and Lionel Pape.

Quotes:

Fay Cheyney:How disappointing you look in that dressing gown.
Lord Arthur Dilling:Oh, and I chose the one that suits me best. How depressing; it must be me.

Movie Connections:

Version of The Law and the Lady (1951)

Soundtrack:

Carefree and Happy

To Catch a Thief in Monte Carlo's Grand Hotel

Posing as a wealthy Australian widow, con woman Norma Shearer (as Fay Cheyney) encroaches herself in Monte Carlo society. Her nefarious plans are complicated by an attraction for Lord Basil Rathbone (as Arthur Dilling). This version of Frederick Lonsdale's hit play is in good hands with director Sidney Franklin, who had a lack of flash that was perfect for early talking films; he manages the new technology competently. Ms. Shearer is charming and theatrical. In his sound debut, Mr. Rathbone makes a good impression despite raccoon eye make-up. Handsome rival George Barraud (as Charles) is impressively natural and Herbert Bunston (as Elton) chews into the script. MGM tried a re-make in 1937 with Joan Crawford , but it failed to move "The Last of Mrs. Cheyney" off the stage. The plot has appeared in dozens of other stories.

****** The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (7/6/29) Sidney Franklin ~ Norma Shearer, Basil Rathbone, George Barraud, Herbert Bunston