Cynara (1932)

London barrister's marriage is under strain after his affair with a shop-girl who is out to have him. Told in flashback.

Director:

King Vidor

Writers:

R. Gore Brown (novel), Frances Marion

Stars:

Ronald Colman, Kay Francis, Phyllis Barry

Cast

Cast overview:
Ronald Colman	...	Jim Warlock
Kay Francis	...	Clemency Warlock
Phyllis Barry	...	Doris Emily Lea
Henry Stephenson	...	John Tring
Viva Tattersall	...	Milly Miles
Florine McKinney	...	Garla
Clarissa Selwynne	...	Onslow
Paul Porcasi	...	Joseph, Maitre D'
George Kirby	...	Mr. Boots
Donald Stuart	...	Henry
Wilson Benge	...	Merton, Jim's Valet
Halliwell Hobbes	...	Coroner at Inquest

Storyline

London barrister's marriage is under strain after his affair with a shop-girl who is out to have him. Told in flashback.

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Plot Keywords:

marriage | naples italy | marriage problems | husband wife relationship | male female relationship | 

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Taglines:

Back to the arms of his wife after a hectic weekend with his mistress!

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

24 December 1932 (USA)

Also Known As:

I Was Faithful

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Samuel Goldwyn Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Talkie debut for Phyllis Barry, who plays Doris.

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Quotes

Jim Warlock: Yes, but surely, if you're fond of someone, you want to be kind. At least one owes a little consideration.
John Tring: Consideration? When you're telling a woman you don't want her? It's like brushing a man's hair the morning you hang him.

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Connections

Referenced in The Suicide of Dorothy Hale (2017)

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Soundtracks

Wedding Dance
(uncredited)
Music by Paul Lincke

User Reviews

Underrated King Vidor Early Sound Film

Recently I was finally able to see this early sound classic with Ronald Colman and Kay Francis. I haven't seen many movies with the latter, and her understated beauty suits Colman perfectly.

Colman looking elegant in his perfectly tailored suits, plays a conservative and happily married (to Kay, as Clemency) barrister whose life is turned upside down by a chance affair with a shop girl played sensitively by an unknown at the time, Phyllis Barry. King Vidor, the director, took a chance in casting her, but his faith in her ability paid off. She brings just the right touch of pathos and desperation to the role of Doris. (And just happens to resemble Kay more than just a little.) In David Shepard's book on King Vidor several effects within the movie are discussed, such as the movie within a movie scene with Charlie playing the little tramp when they all go to the flickers the night he and Tring (character actor Henry Stephenson in a salty role.) meet the girls, and the fade out scenes of Colman tearing up the paper with the girls address to a scene of Clemency in Venice with her sister and the scraps of paper have dissolved into pigeons in flight.

I would say that this was a different type of role for Colman. Yet even though he plays an adulterous husband, his kindness and tenderness toward Doris is always there, and all parties suffer because of the infidelity. Even in a precode, no one gets away from the consequences of their actions! I highly recommend this movie for Colman and Francis fans and as a fine example of an early Vidor sound movie. I enjoyed it more than Street Scene as the sound quality was better by this time, and the story flowed more smoothly.