Robert Wyler Movies
Based on the 1934 play by Lillian Hellman, The Children's Hour is set at an exclusive girl's school managed by best friends Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine. When student Karen Balkin is punished for one of her many misdeeds, the mean-spirited youngster rushes to her wealthy aunt Fay Bainter, and, randomly choosing a phrase she has undoubtedly read in some magazine, accuses Hepburn and MacLaine of having an "unnatural relationship." As Balkin's lies grow in viciousness, the student's parents withdraw their children from the school. Hepburn and MacLaine sue Bainter for libel, only to lose their case when MacLaine's aunt Miriam Hopkins refuses to testify as a character witness. The trial takes its toll on the relationship between Hepburn and her boyfriend James Garner. When Bainter discovers that her niece has been lying, she tries to make amends, but it is too late. Director William Wyler had also helmed the first film version of Children's Hour, 1936's These Three, which due to censorship restrictions of the time did without the lesbian angle (the little girl's accusations involved a supposed romantic triangle between the two ladies and a male friend). Miriam Hopkins, who plays a supporting role in The Children's Hour, originally essayed the Shirley MacLaine role in These Three. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Audrey Hepburn, Shirley MacLaine, (more)
Adapted from the best-selling novel by Jessamyn West, Friendly Persuasion is set in Southern Indiana in the early days of the Civil War. Gary Cooper plays Jess Birdwell, patriarch of a Quaker family which does not believe in warfare. Birdwell's son Josh (Anthony Perkins) wishes to adhere to his family's pacifism, but is afraid that if he doesn't sign up for military service, he'll prove to be a coward. Josh joins the Home Guard, which disturbs his mother Eliza (Dorothy McGuire). But Jess Birdwell realizes that his son must follow the dictates of his own conscience. Josh proves his courage to himself when he is wounded during a Rebel raid, while the elder Birdwell is able to stay faithful to his religious calling by not killing a Southern soldier when given both a chance and a good reason to do so. Allegedly, writer Jessamyn West nearly scotched her deal with producer/director William Wyler and distributor Allied Artists when Gary Cooper, taking his fans into consideration, insisted upon including a scene in which he forsakes his pacifism and takes arms against the Rebels. If true, then wiser heads prevailed, since no such scene exists in the final release print. Though uncredited due to his status as a blacklistee, Michael Wilson wrote the screenplay for Friendly Persuasion--and even won an Oscar nomination. Also nominated was the film's chart-busting theme song, "Thee I Love" (by Dmitri Tiomkin and Paul Francis Webster). The story was remade as a 2-hour TV pilot film in 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gary Cooper, Dorothy McGuire, (more)
Sidney Kingsley's Broadway play Detective Story was praised for its realistic view of an event-filled day in a single police precinct station. The film, directed by meticulous taskmaster William Wyler, manages to retain this realism, even allowing for the star-turn performance of Kirk Douglas. A stickler for the letter of the law, Detective James McLeod (Douglas) is not averse to using strong-arm methods on criminals and witnesses alike in bringing lawbreakers to justice. He is particularly rough on a first-time offender (Craig Hill), on whom the rest of the force is willing to go easy because of the anguish of his girlfriend (Cathy O'Donnell). But McLeod's strongest invective is reserved for shady abortion doctor Karl Schneider (George MacReady); McLeod all but ruins the case against Schneider by beating him up in the patrol wagon. When McLeod discovers that his own wife (Eleanor Parker) had many years earlier lost a baby in one of Schneider's operations, and that the baby's father was gangster Tami Giacoppetti (Gerald Mohr), it is too much for the detective to bear. Punctuating the grim proceedings with brief moments of humor is future Oscar winner Lee Grant, reprising her stage role as a timorous shoplifter; it would be her last Hollywood assignment until the early 1960s, thanks to the iniquities of the blacklist. Despite small concessions to Hollywood censorship, Detective Story largely upheld the power of its theatrical original, and it forms a clear precursor to such latter-day urban police dramas as NYPD Blue. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kirk Douglas, Eleanor Parker, (more)
Henry James based his 1881 novella Washington Square on a real-life incident, wherein a young actor of his acquaintance married an unattractive but very wealthy young woman for the express purpose of living the rest of his life in luxury. Washington Square was turned into a stage play in 1946 by Ruth and Augustus Goetz; this, in turn was adapted for the movies under the title The Heiress. Olivia DeHavilland won an Academy Award (her second) for her portrayal of Catherine Sloper, the plain-Jane daughter of wealthy widower Dr. Austin Sloper (Ralph Richardson). Catherine is not only unattractive, but lacks most of the social graces, thanks in great part to the domineering attitudes of her father. When Catherine falls in love with handsome young Morris Townsend (Montgomery Clift), she is convinced that her love is reciprocated, else why would Morris be so affectionate towards her? Dr. Sloper sees things differently, correctly perceiving that Morris is a callow fortune hunter. Standing up to her father for the first time in her life, Catherine insists that she will elope with Morris; but when Dr. Sloper threatens to cut off her dowry, Morris disappears. Still, Catherine threatens to run off with the next young man who pays any attention to her; Sloper, belatedly realizing how much he has hurt his only child, arranges to leave her his entire fortune. Years pass: Morris returns, insisting that he'd only left because he didn't want to cause Catherine the "grief" of being disinherited. Seemingly touched by Morris' "sincerity", Catherine agrees to elope with him immediately. But when Morris arrives at the appointed hour, he finds the door locked and bolted. Asked how she can treat Morris so cruelly, Catherine replies coldly "Yes, I can be very cruel. I have been taught by masters." Though The Heiress ends on a downbeat note, the audience is gratified to know that Catherine Sloper has matured from ugly-duckling loser to a tower of strength who will never allow herself to be manipulated by anyone ever again. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Olivia de Havilland, Montgomery Clift, (more)
- 1946
In this backstage musical comedy, a Broadway producer knows that his latest show will be a hit, but before he can stage it, he must come up with financial backing. First he tries to marry for money. When that fails he goes to a professional gambler and that is where the trouble really begins. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1939
A randy stud, a Kentucky Derby winner, sires a successor on the sly and creates all sorts of problems for his owner in this drama. The mare carrying the heir belongs to an impoverished nobleman and his beautiful granddaughter whom the stud's owner despises. Fortunately, the stable-owner's son, who loves the granddaughter, helps them train the promising young colt for the Big Race. When Derby day finally arrives, her horse is slated to run against one belonging to her rival. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ralph Byrd, Mary Carlisle, (more)
- 1937
Set during the terrible Spanish Civil War, this film avoids political commentary in favor of objectively centering on the plight and personal lives of refugees preparing to board a train that will take them far away from the bloody horrors of war-besieged Loyalist-controlled Madrid. Once safely on the train, the film presents snippets from their lives in the same manner as was done on Grand Hotel (1932). Among the refugees are a political fugitive, his flirtatious ex-girl friend, a hooker, a baroness, a world-weary newspaper reporter and the orphan who follows him. In charge of making sure the train safely reaches its destination is a single guard. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dorothy Lamour, Lew Ayres, (more)
- 1937
A sort of follow-up to the studio's earlier College Scandal, Paramount's Murder Goes to College once again combines homicide with higher learning. When the titular murder occurs, detective Hank Hyer (Lynne Overman) shows up to investigate, with vacationing reporter Sim Perkins (Roscoe Karns) tagging along. Both of our heroes run up against formidable opposition from a strangely secretive faculty, an openly hostile local constabulary, and sneering racketeer Strike Belno (Larry "Buster" Crabbe). Foremost among the suspects is Greta Barry (Astrid Allwyn), the ex-showgirl spouse of much-despised professor Tom Barry (Earl Foxe). Much of the suspense in Murder Goes to College arises from the possibility that the bibulous Sim Perkins won't remain sober long enough to solve the mystery. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roscoe Karns, Marsha Hunt, (more)
- 1937
In this, the final episode in the "Sophie Lang" trio of crime comedies, the incorrigible female crook is again a fugitive from justice and heading for the West coast. Soon after her arrival, she hooks up with a screenwriter and not only helps him finish his latest script, she also helps him retrieve a valuable stolen necklace. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gertrude Michael, Lee Bowman, (more)
- 1935
After spending time working as dialogue director on a number of films, Carol Reed made his directorial debut as co-director of It Happened in Paris. Based upon a French play by Yves Mirande, Paris stars John Loder as Paul, the artistically-inclined son of an American millionaire. Serious about his work, he has moved to Paris, where he can find inspiration and study the masters. While there, he finds inspiration of a different sort in the form of the beautiful Jacqueline, played by Nancy Burne. Thinking that his wealth is a handicap, Paul lies and pretends that he is poor. In time-honored fashion, this causes some complications, but eventually all is revealed and the two lovers are set on the course to living happily ever after. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
- 1932
The "unaware papa" of the title is played by French comedian Noel-Noel. Ordered by his father to marry a wealthy heiress, our hero changes his mind when he discovers that his former sweetheart has given birth to his child. Noel-Noel sneaks into the maternity hospital and swipes the baby, leading to a merry chase before all is forgiven and Daddy finally marries Mommy. Papa Sans le Savoir was adapted by Yves Mirande from the stage play Little Accident, previously filmed in 1930 with Douglas Fairbanks Jr. The same property would be remade under its original title in 1939, then again as Casanova Brown in 1944. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Françoise Rosay, Noël-Noël, (more)
- 1932
Filmed by Paramount's Paris facilities in 1932, Une Etoile Disparait (A Star Vanishes) was not released in the U.S. until 1934. A murder mystery set in a film studio, this fast-paced meller stars Suzy Vernon as Rosine, an American gal trying to break into pictures. Rosine finds herself one of several murder suspects, all of them well-fortified with motive and opportunity. To keep the audience alert, a number of prominent (and unbilled) French film favorites make cameo appearances. Une Etoile Disparait was directed by Robert Wyler, brother of celebrated American filmmaker William Wyler. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Suzy Vernon, Constant Remy, (more)
