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.

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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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

The role of Alan Trent was originally intended for Leslie Howard, who was having an affair with Merle Oberon at the time. When the affair ended, Howard dropped out of the production and Fredric March replaced him - much to the disgust of director Sidney Franklin, who thought Oberon wouldn't draw audiences without Howard as her co-star.

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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.

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Connections

Version of The Dark Angel (1925)

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Soundtracks

"Keep The Home Fires Burning ('Till the Boys Come Home)"
(1914) (uncredited)
Music By Ivor Novello
Played by the band at the inn
In the score when Alan decides to go home

User Reviews

Merle is effective in a weepie from the Golden Age...

Handsomely photographed and nicely scored romantic drama from Samuel Goldwyn about a childhood friendship between three people that develops into an intense romantic triangle.

MERLE OBERON, FREDRIC MARCH and HERBERT MARSHALL have the pivotal roles as star-crossed lovers during the World War I period. Unfortunately, the three leads are lifelong friends destined to have their lives shattered by the war. Love, guilt and fate play a part in their lives when March is blinded but keeps away from Oberon, unable to tell her the truth and letting her think he's died. As for the rest of the plot, with a screenplay by Lillian Hellman, you have to watch the film.

Nobody stumbles in any of the roles and, in fact, MERLE OBERON won her only Best Actress nomination as Kitty, warm and appealing as the romantic interest of both men. The tearful final reunion scene will remind you of the final touching scene from RANDOM HARVEST where Smitty and his lost love find each other again.

Modern viewers beware. You'll probably find some of the tear-jerking moments a bit too mawkish but remember, this was the 1930s.

Trivia note: Oberon was photographed much more flatteringly in another film she appeared in that year, THE SCARLET PIMPERNELL. What a difference a more flattering hairdo and period costumes make!!