Charles Bickford was certainly a great character actor, but in the early 1930's, his brawny, macho personality made him appear to be brutish, brooding and ill-tempered. He's a rather unlikable fellow, so it seems difficult to swallow the fact that the sweet, long-suffering Irene Dunne would fall for him and agree to marry him. Unhappy in his work at a steel factory, he gets viciously drunk one night after verbally abusing his wife and shows up in the middle of the night with some floozy before passing out. The next morning, of course, he's all contrite, and agrees to go into partnership with Dunne's brother (Eric Linden), making a fortune. But being well off doesn't change his demeanor, and soon he finds himself in the arms of the seductive Gwili Andre who has motivations of her own that aren't so honorable. In the meantime, Dunne continues to make a nice home for Bickford and their young son without any appreciation from her brute of a husband.
Probably one of the first films to insinuate spousal abuse, this is a very difficult film to watch because as noble as Dunne's character is, she isn't stupid. This is also one of the first films I saw (many years ago) and recalled hating. Giving it a second chance I found it perhaps not to be truly awful, but really without any entertainment value. Certainly, the drama is there, giving it a strong plot, but I really see no sense in Dunne's character pleading with Bickford to think things over before making a rash decision, as if he was thinking of just changing a job. She really shows no emotion in her confrontation, but it isn't Dunne's fault since the script makes her character out to be more noble than any woman could ever hope to be. It really becomes downright absurd when Bickford's divorce attorney makes it appear that Dunne was guilty of infidelity, not him! Leila Bennett gives an obnoxious performance as Dunne's shrill housekeeper who always gives her two cents without being asked for it. You may find yourself with a headache once this film ends, if you make it that far.
Probably one of the first films to insinuate spousal abuse, this is a very difficult film to watch because as noble as Dunne's character is, she isn't stupid. This is also one of the first films I saw (many years ago) and recalled hating. Giving it a second chance I found it perhaps not to be truly awful, but really without any entertainment value. Certainly, the drama is there, giving it a strong plot, but I really see no sense in Dunne's character pleading with Bickford to think things over before making a rash decision, as if he was thinking of just changing a job. She really shows no emotion in her confrontation, but it isn't Dunne's fault since the script makes her character out to be more noble than any woman could ever hope to be. It really becomes downright absurd when Bickford's divorce attorney makes it appear that Dunne was guilty of infidelity, not him! Leila Bennett gives an obnoxious performance as Dunne's shrill housekeeper who always gives her two cents without being asked for it. You may find yourself with a headache once this film ends, if you make it that far.