The Dark Angel (1935)

Kitty Vane, Alan Trent, and Gerald Shannon have been inseparable friends since childhood. Kitty has always known she would marry one of them, but has waited until the beginning of World War... See full summary »

Director:

Sidney Franklin

Writers:

Lillian Hellman (screen play), Mordaunt Shairp (screen play),

Stars:

Fredric March, Merle Oberon, Herbert Marshall

Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Fredric March	...	Alan Trent
Merle Oberon	...	Kitty Vane
Herbert Marshall	...	Gerald Shannon
Janet Beecher	...	Mrs. Shannon
John Halliday	...	Sir George Barton
Henrietta Crosman	...	Granny Vane
Frieda Inescort	...	Ann West
Claud Allister	...	Lawrence Bidley
Cora Sue Collins	...	Kitty as a Child
Fay Chaldecott	...	Betty Gallop (as Fay Chaldicott)
George P. Breakston	...	Joe Gallop (as George Breakston)

Storyline

Kitty Vane, Alan Trent, and Gerald Shannon have been inseparable friends since childhood. Kitty has always known she would marry one of them, but has waited until the beginning of World War I before finally choosing Alan. Gerald graciously gives them his blessing. Then, Gerald and Alan go to war. Angered over a misunderstanding involving Alan and Kitty, Gerald sends Alan on a dangerous mission that will change all their lives forever.

---

Plot Keywords:

impersonation | falling off horse | butler | adoption | friendship | 

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 September 1935 (USA)

Also Known As:

El ángel de las tinieblas

Filming Locations:

Samuel Goldwyn Studios - 7200 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Samuel Goldwyn Company, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min 106 min (TCM print)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Wide Range Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Herbert Marshall, who plays a British army officer in World War I, actually served in that war and lost a leg in combat.

---

Goofs

Although the bulk of the story takes place during World War I, and the time immediately thereafter, all of the women's clothes and hairstyles, particularly those of Merle Oberon, Janet Beecher and Frieda Inescort are strictly in the 1935 mode.

---

Connections

Version of The Dark Angel (1925)

---

Soundtracks

"If You Don't Come Back"
(uncredited)
Composer unknown
Sung offscreen by soldiers at the inn

User Reviews

Turgid and Mawkish

It's hard to imagine what Dorothy Parker had to do with this script. It is ultra serious, ultra "Important." All it lacks is Ann Harding.

Herbert Marshall, Fredric March, and Merle Oberon are childhood friends who grow up. Marshall grows into a very stiff-upper-lip type. March is too, to a degree. Of course, both are in love with Oberon.

For her debut in American movies, the beautiful Oberon is given a most unflattering hairstyle. It would have looked better on a shrub. Possibly on a dog. She turns in a creditable performance, though she was generally a wooden actress. Gorgeous looking but no fire.

March is interesting in the later scenes. (No hint from me as to what happens, but the plot also improved.) I don't mind women's pictures of this era but certain of them, this included, leave me cold. And this movie IS cold -- cold and clammy.