Craig's Wife (1936)

A domineering woman marries a wealthy man for his money, and then uses her position to further her own ambitions for money and power.

Director:

Dorothy Arzner

Writers:

Mary C. McCall Jr. (screenplay), George Kelly (play)

Stars:

Rosalind Russell, John Boles, Billie Burke

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Rosalind Russell	...	Harriet Craig
John Boles	...	Walter Craig
Billie Burke	...	Mrs. Frazier
Jane Darwell	...	Mrs. Harold
Dorothy Wilson	...	Ethel Landreth
Alma Kruger	...	Ellen Austen
Thomas Mitchell	...	Fergus Passmore
Raymond Walburn	...	Billy Birkmire
Elisabeth Risdon	...	Mrs. Landreth
Robert Allen	...	Gene Fredericks
Nydia Westman	...	Mazie
Kathleen Burke	...	Adelaide Passmore

Storyline

A domineering woman marries a wealthy man for his money, and then uses her position to further her own ambitions for money and power.

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Plot Keywords:

title directed by female | housewife | dysfunctional marriage | pulitzer prize source | husband wife relationship | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 September 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

Egoísmo de Mulher

Box Office

Budget:

$300,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

73 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The play's author George Kelly was the Uncle of future Oscar-winner and Royal Princess, Grace Kelly.

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Quotes

Harriet Craig: I'm all alone in the house now...
[turning to see the door closing behind her]
Harriet Craig: Wait! don't go!

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Connections

Version of Craig's Wife (1928)

User Reviews

The institution of marriage takes a big hit

Harriet Craig (Rosalind Russell) is a thoroughly hateful character. This is one of those films that gains power from the strength of the villainous antagonist rather than from a relatively weak protagonist.

Harriet is married to the gentle henpecked Walter Craig. Walter never catches on, even though the Craigs have no friends and Walter has become something of a laughing stock in town. Harriet never cared much for Walter, but she sure liked his money which enabled her to have a beautiful home, servants, and a respectable place in the community. Harriet is, therefore, one of those respectable, upwardly mobile prostitutes who uses marriage to barter her good looks for money and position. It's not a pretty picture.

However, Harriet's strategy for maintaining her marriage is deeply flawed. She acts like a manipulative, controlling cold-hearted bitch at all times and ultimately her life implodes.

This film is quite well done and the viewer just can't escape a warm feeling of satisfaction as the malevolent Harriet gets what's coming to her--and more. Although the Harriet character lacks nuance (she's just SO witchy), the story still worked, at least for me. This emotional resonance indicates that the writers, actors, and director Dorothy Arzner did a good job in projecting a wholly believable villain.