John M. Stahl Movies
After a cursory public school education, 16-year-old John Stahl became a stage actor. Entering films as a bit player in 1913, he was hired by Vitagraph's Brooklyn studio as a director one year later. Most of his work under the Vitagraph banner has been lost to the ages, though it has been confirmed that he directed a series of historical shorts under the umbrella title The Lincoln Cycle. In 1917, he moved to the New York studios of producer Louis B. Mayer, and a few years later was on the ground floor when Mayer's operation was absorbed into the new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. After several years as an MGM director, he became vice president and "directional producer" of his own company, Tiffany-Stahl, in 1927. When talkies arrived, he sold his interest in Tiffany-Stahl to sign with Universal. His major works at this studio included such theatrical and literary derivations as Strictly Dishonorable (1931), Back Street (1932), Imitation of Life (1934), and Magnificent Obsession (1935). It was during this period that Stahl developed his directorial "signature": a deft blend of sentimentality, hothouse melodrama, and baroque romanticism, with emphasis on strong, self-reliant female characters. His career suffered a setback in 1936 when he produced and directed MGM's Parnell, notorious as Clark Gable's worst and least successful starring feature. Stahl bounced back in 1938 with another producer/director gig, A Letter of Introduction, wherein he successfully melded such highly individualized stars as Adolphe Menjou, Andrea Leeds, and Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy. Freelancing during the early '40s, he moved to 20th Century Fox in 1943, where for the next six years he turned out such solid box-office attractions as Keys to the Kingdom (1943) and the classic "I love you to death" soaper Leave Her to Heaven. He retired in 1949, and died one year later. In his heyday, John Stahl was a major influence on those directors specializing in what were then called "women's pictures": None, apparently, were more influenced than the equally skilled Douglas Sirk, who during the 1950s and early '60s, directed remakes of three of Stahl's most popular films: Magnificent Obsession (1956), Interlude (the 1957 remake of 1939's When Tomorrow Comes), and Imitation of Life (1959). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1918
Suspicion was an old-fashioned melodrama given a new coat of paint by virtue of its WWI setting. When Dr. Allen Forrest invites his partner Leonard White to live with him for the duration of the war, the local gossips suspect that White has designs on Forrest's pretty wife Madelyn. Late one evening, a German spy sneaks into Forrest's home in hopes of stealing the doctor's latest invention. The spy is discovered in Madelyn's boudoir, but makes his escape just as Forrest shoots at him with his revolver. Despite Madelyn's protestations, Forrest is convinced that the intruder was none other than White -- and when White shows up the next morning with a bullet wound, Forrest's suspicions seem to be confirmed. Unable to convince her husband that she is blameless, Madelyn takes poison. Fortunately, the truth comes out before any real harm can be done, and the film ends on a patriotic note as Forrest, secure in the knowledge of his wife's fidelity, prepares to serve his country as an aviator. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1919
Eleven men and one woman are on the jury when Jim O'Neil (Gareth Hughes) is being tried for murder. O'Neil was found holding a revolver and bending over the dead body of his former employer, Edward Knox (David Powell). The evidence looks bad -- at the last moment, his fiancee, Helen (Mildred Cheshire) admits she was ruined by Knox and that she believes O'Neil killed him. But when the jury goes into deliberation, the ballot is eleven to one for conviction. The holdout is Grace Norton (Florence Reed), and nothing can convince her to change her mind. Then she hears word that her sister (budding star May MacAvoy) has died, and she tells her fellow jurors that the girl was also ruined by Knox. The truth of the matter is that Grace is Knox's killer. After hearing her story, the other jurors change their votes to "not guilty," and since they feel justice was served by killing the villainous Knox, they keep Grace's admission to themselves. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1919
Helen (Florence Reed) is an American art student studying in Paris. She rejects fellow student Tom Davis (Alec Francis) in favor of Jacques (Irving Cummings), who turns out to be married. Nevertheless a daughter, Alice, is born out of their union. Tom comes into money and returns to the States, but when Helen dies, she entrusts Alice to him, and she grows up at Tom's mansion. As a young woman, Alice (also portrayed by Reed) becomes involved with Eugene LaSalle (William Desmond) and they are engaged. But when Eugene pulls out a ring at a party, Alice is horrified. An old note from her mother described this particular ring, which would identify someone related to Jacques. She is convinced this means she and Eugene are brother and sister, and since they have already become intimate, they decide their only option is to take their own lives. At the last minute, Eugene discovers that Jacques was only his stepfather, and the couple are free once again to marry. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1921
This awkwardly titled drama makes for an interesting look into the morals of the first part of the 20th century. On her wedding day, Norma Huntley (Barbara Castleton) wants to tell Edward Berkley, her husband-to-be (Lewis Stone), her secret -- that she mothered a child out of wedlock which subsequently died. Her mother (Adele Farrington) forbids her to reveal this. Only moments after the ceremony, it is discovered that the child, now three, is actually alive. Berkley, incensed at this turn of events, agrees to adopt the child and remain married for appearance's sake -- but when he finds the father, he will kill him. He comes to suspect that family friend Tom Marshall (William Desmond) is the guilty party and invites him to the couple's country home to keep an eye on him. When Berkley finds Tom and Norma in the hall together during a storm, he shoots him, but then Norma reveals that the father was a soldier who attacked her while she was serving as a nurse in Belgium. Upon hearing her tale, Berkley realizes that he is the guilty one. He is ready to commit suicide, but Norma insists that they stay together and raise their child. Luckily, Marshall has only suffered a minor wound. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1921
Rosamond Athelstane (Anita Stewart) has been raised in a convent, ignorant of the fact that the woman who claims to be her guardian (Myrtle Stedman) is actually her mother. Because of her sinful life, she has been keeping this fact a secret. When Rosamond discovers that this supposed guardian runs a gambling den, she is so shocked that she breaks all ties with her. A year or so passes and Rosamond manages to become a highly successful actress. She falls in love with Ned Annesley (James Morrison). She doesn't realize that Ned is the adopted son of Brabazon, the father she never knew (Ralph Lewis). There is much antagonism between Brabazon and Rosamond until everyone's identities are sorted out. The only character who doesn't end the film happily is the mother, who dies for her wicked life. Sidney Grundy's novel was shot once before, in 1916. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anita Stewart, Ralph Lewis, (more)
- 1922
Future Judge Hardy Lewis Stone plays a restless middle-aged man in this drama. After 20 years of marriage, Mary Emerson (Cleo Madison) treats her husband, John (Stone), more like a son than a spouse, so it's no wonder that a fresh young thing by the name of Gloria Sanderson (Ruth Clifford) catches his eye. Rejuvenated by Gloria's attention, Emerson takes her on dates to the races and attends the most fashionable cabarets. Somehow he manages to evade her inquiries into his marital status. Emerson decides that he is in love with Gloria, so he writes Mary a letter saying that he will not be returning to her. He only realizes his foolishness when he discovers Gloria in the arms of another man -- her fiancé. In a panic he tries to retrieve the letter he wrote, but discovers it is already on its way. In a mad dash, he drives his car in front of the train, which stops after smashing the car to bits. Emerson uses this opportunity to get on the train. He arrives home ahead of the letter, in time for the wedding of his daughter, Ruth (Edith Roberts). Mary, however, manages to get her hands on the letter, but instead of being upset over it, she realizes that her behavior is, in good part, to blame. A reconciliation between husband and wife follows. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cleo Madison, Edith Roberts, (more)
- 1922
Veteran silent star Henry Walthall shines in this drama, based on the novel by Frances Nimmo Greene. In spite of the complaints from his sister, Maggie Thornton (Irene Rich), Dr. Alan Hamilton (Milton Sills) insists on befriending Henry Garnett (Warner), who runs a gambling hall. A young woman (Claire Windsor) is brought into Hamilton's hospital unconscious, and she refuses to reveal her identity. Hamilton falls in love with the girl, who he calls Faith, and she is the only one who encourages his friendship with Garnett. On the night he keeps a rioting mob away from the gambling hall, he reveals to Faith that he is looking for Garnett's long-lost wife because the gambler has only a limited time to live. Faith finally reveals that she is the wife, but Hamilton turns around and urges her to keep her secret. His bad advice eats away at him, and he turns to drink until he is compelled to tend to his nephew, who has been badly injured. He then takes Faith to Garnett, but the dying gambler wishes her only happiness and releases her from her bond to him by drinking poison. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Milton Sills, Claire Windsor, (more)
- 1922
This mediocre drama laid on the pathos in an attempt to draw in the sentimental audiences of the early '20s. Amos Tilden (Edward Peil) is a railroad worker, and his wife, Mary (Georgia Woodthorpe), grows tired of their drab existence. Finally, she abandons both her husband and baby boy, not realizing that shortly afterwards, Amos is killed in an accident. Mary winds up working as a dishwasher in the big city and leading a life as drab as the one she had with Amos. After a couple of decades of this bare existence, she makes the acquaintance of David, a young writer (Gaston Glass). Mary recognizes David as her own son, but he reveals so much bitterness toward his absent mother, that Mary thinks better of revealing her identity. David's wife, Aline (Grace Darmond), has grown tired of her life and is planning to run off with another man. David discovers the affair and shoots Aline's lover. To save her son, Mary takes the blame, finally revealing to him that she is his mother. Luckily for them both, the shot was not fatal. Aline learns her lesson and returns to David, and Mary is united with them both. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gaston Glass, Grace Darmond, (more)
- 1923
A young and still inexperienced Norma Shearer was originally cast in the lead role of Myra Hastings in this society drama -- it was her first film for Metro, and Irving Thalberg, vice president and Louis B. Mayer's right hand man, had high hopes for her. But director John M. Stahl didn't see much potential in Shearer and insisted that contract player and former Mack Sennett star Marie Prevost take the role of Myra. Shearer was demoted to a supporting role. The story was trite, so the future MGM star (who eventually married Thalberg) didn't miss much by losing the lead. Myra is the maid in a wealthy home who dreams of the better things in life. One day while she is secretly trying on her mistress's gowns she is discovered by Elliot, the Worthington scion (Robert Ellis). He falls in love with her, but she is fired. The headstrong Elliot marries her and brings her back home, much to his family's chagrin. They promptly snub poor Myra, who runs away. Elliot goes after her and saves her from being hit by a train. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1924
When Lewis Stone (the future Judge Hardy) is the leading man, Florence Vidor co-stars as his wife, and Lew Cody portrays the other man, you've obviously got a quality silent feature. James Livingston (Stone) has been married to Grace (Vidor) long enough to take her for granted. Grace, on her end, is allowing herself to become drab. When Livingston suggests that his wife might do something to brighten up her appearance, she eagerly dolls up like a flapper. Livingston is not thrilled with the changes she has made, but his friend, Rex Phillips (Cody), thinks it's great. He starts seeing Grace on the sly, and eventually Livingston finds out. He and Grace agree to a divorce, but just as she is about to marry Phillips, Livingston has a change of heart. He realizes that he really loves Grace after all and he literally drags her from the altar to remarry her himself. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Florence Vidor
- 1924
This comedy-drama was based on the successful play by Avery Hopwood, who was known for his tales of domestic turmoil. It features Lewis Stone and Helene Chadwick as a newlywed couple, John and Irene Emerson. At the beginning John is totally devoted to his wife, but by the time their first-year anniversary comes around, he has become so neglectful that he forgets to give her a present until she gives him one first. Left on her own, Irene spends a lot of time with her girlfriends. John becomes lonely and brings his stenographer, Jean Ralston (Alma Bennett), to the theater. When his wife finds out about it, the couple divorce. Jean uses her wiles to wed John. John's grandmother (Mary Carr) hears about the marital discord, and not realizing that the couple has already divorced, fakes an injury so they both come rushing over to her home. Then, with the cooperation of a doctor (Howard Truesdell), Grandma has the place quarantined so that neither John nor Irene can leave. The couple realize that they still love each other. When Jean shows up and tries to take John away, he gets rid of her by agreeing to a large alimony settlement. He and Irene marry again and head off on a second honeymoon. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Helene Chadwick
- 1925
Fashions for Men was a satirical play by Franz Molnar. In the hands of film company First National, it became a sincere, unsophisticated drama. Kindly Peter Hungerford (Percy Marmont) is a London clothes merchant who has saved up 500 dollars to stave off impending bankruptcy. His plans are ruined when his wife, Adele (Eileen Percy), takes the money and runs off with his clerk, Oscar (Raymond Griffith). Hungerford finds work managing the cheese business for the Earl of Denham (Lewis S. Stone). His former cashier, Paula (Alma Rubens), goes with him and becomes the earl's secretary. The earl pursues Paula, but Hungerford watches over her so carefully that he hampers the affair. The earl wants to fire him, but can't bear to hurt such a kindly man. The creditors of Hungerford's old store ask him to return, and Paula, who realizes she loves him, not the earl, follows. Oscar shows up, destitute and looking for work. The good-natured Hungerford is willing to take him back, but Paula -- who is not so forgiving -- shows the ex-clerk the door. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lewis Stone, Percy Marmont, (more)
- 1926
MGM's The Gay Deceiver was based on Toto, a stage play by Maurice Hennequin and Felix DuQuesnal. Lew Cody stars as Toto, a celebrated French actor whose globetrotting career distances him from his loving family. While on tour, he has an affair with a married woman, who moves heaven and earth to keep her husband from finding out. But find out he does, with results ranging from hilarious to heavily dramatic. Gay Deceiver co-stars Lew Cody and Carmel Myers were reteamed soon afterward in The Demi-Bride. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lew Cody, Marceline Day, (more)
- 1926
Memory Lane is a vehicle for stars-in-the-making Eleanor Boardman and William Haines, both winners of an extensive MGM talent search. Boardman plays Mary, in love with poor-but-honest working stiff Joe Field (William Haines). But when Joe leaves town to seek his future in the Big City, Mary decides to marry Jimmy Holt (Conrad Nagel), son of the town's richest man. Upon his return, the heartbroken Joe kidnaps Mary, certain that she's still in love with him, but realizes he's acting like an idiot and sets her free. Knowing now that Mary genuinely adores her husband, Joe leaves town for good -- but not before making absolutely certain that the girl will forever despise his memory, thereby sacrificing his own happiness for the sake of hers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eleanor Boardman, Conrad Nagel, (more)
- 1927
The venerable stage drama The World and His Wife formed the basis for the MGM production Lovers?. Ramon Novarro and Alice Terry, who previously co-starred in Scaramouche, The Prisoner of Zenda and The Arab, are herein reteamed as Ernesto and Teodora, respectively. Teodora is the new young wife of diplomat Don Julian (Ernest Martindel), Ernesto's guardian. It doesn't take long for Ernesto to fall in love with Teodora, leading to ugly gossip throughout Madrid. Defending Teodora's honor, Ernesto agrees to a duel, but at the last minute Don Julian takes the boy's place on the field of honor, losing his life in the process. Ernesto then steps in to kill Don Julian's opponent, whereupon he is banished from Spain. The final scene shows Ernesto and Teodora en route to Argentina, both hoping to pick up the pieces of their lives; this scene appears to have been tacked on at the insistence of the MGM brass, suggesting that perhaps the original ending of Lovers? was somewhat more downbeat. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ramon Novarro, Alice Terry, (more)
- 1927
Legendary (and, to some, infamous) African-American comedian Stepin Fetchit made his first screen appearance in In Old Kentucky. This second cinemazation of Charles T. Dazey's war-horse play throws out most of the original plot in favor of a new yarn involving a returning soldier (James Murray), who rescues his family estate from rack and ruin. The play's famous Kentucky Derby finale remains, however, and it's as pulse-pounding as ever. Stepin Fetchit's role of "Highpockets" provides a few oases of welcome comedy relief. In Old Kentucky would be filmed for a third time in 1935, rewritten to accommodate the talents of Will Rogers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Helene Costello, Wesley Barry, (more)
- 1928
Marriage by Contract was produced and directed by John M. Stahl for his own Tiffany-Stahl Studio. Although only a part-talkie, the film represented the sound debut of Patsy Ruth Miller, here cast as Margaret, one of the longest-suffering heroines in screen history. Having entered into a contract to marry a young man named Don (Lawrence Grey), Margaret storms out of the honeymoon suite when Don shows up drunk and disheveled, bragging about his various sexual conquests. Despite this appalling experience, Margaret goes through three more contracted marriages, each union leaving her a bit worse off than the previous one. On the verge of committing suicide, an aged and infirm Margaret suddenly wakes up to find herself young and beautiful again. Realizing that she's been just been having a horrible dream, our heroine hastily dons her wedding gown and rushes off to find faithful Don still waiting at the chapel. Marriage by Contract represents an acting tour de force for Patsy Ruth Miller, who in 1928 was better known for her light comedy roles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patsy Ruth Miller, Lawrence Gray, (more)
- 1930
In this melodrama, a husband gets on with his life after his wife goes to Europe to get a divorce. Thinking the deed done, the husband marries another. Unfortunately, his first wife returns and tells him that she never went through the procedure and that she has no intention of ever freeing him. His second wife becomes distraught and attempts to kill herself. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Conrad Nagel, Genevieve Tobin, (more)
- 1931
Preston Sturges' hit Broadway play Strictly Dishonorable was adapted for the movies in 1931 with virtually all its sexual innuendo intact. In New York City, a young American girl (Sidney Fox) tires of her abusive live-in boy friend. She falls for a roguish Italian singer (Paul Lukas) with a bad reputation, whose interest in her is purely carnal. Burned by her past relationships, the girl determinedly "holds out;" she will capitulate only on her terms, which include a matrimonial commitment. Impressed by the girl's iron will, the singer agrees to marriage, telling himself he is saving her reputation. Cheerfully uninhibited in the best pre-code manner, Strictly Dishonorable was laundered and musicalized for its 1951 remake, which starred Ezio Pinza and Janet Leigh. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Lukas
- 1931
In this three-hanky melodrama, an aspiring writer abandons his wife and five children to work more closely with a beautiful woman who works for a prominent publishing company. Ten years pass and the writer has become extremely popular despite the fact that his work is consistently trashed by literary critics. The critics have good reason; to support his new wife's exorbitantly high standard of living, he must churn out pulp mysteries. His ex-wife, who still loves him, decides to help him and invites him to visit the family. He does and suddenly finds himself pining for them. He begs his ex-wife to let his adolescent offspring come to live with him. She does and moves them to New York. His second wife, feeling insecure by her husband's newfound love for his children feels ignored. Bette Davis plays the author's adult daughter. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Boles, Genevieve Tobin, (more)
- 1932
Based on a best-selling novel by Fannie Hurst, Back Street concerns an ill-starred couple, Rae (Irene Dunne) and Walter (John Boles). Rae meets Walter and falls hopelessly in love with him; Walter is also drawn to Rae, but he has already pledged to marry another woman and can't find a way out. They part, and for a while Rae takes up with someone else; Walter needs to leave the country and impulsively tries to arrange a marriage with Rae, but she is unable, due to her new beau, and he sails away without her. When Rae next encounters Walter, he has married a woman from a wealthy family. Even though he's wedded to another, a passion still burns between Walter and Rae, and they enter into an illicit affair. Over the course of nearly 30 years, Rae turns down opportunities to marry other men to live a shadowy life as Walter's mistress, until she accepts a proposal of marriage when she's convinced that Walter is finally through with her. This was the first of three film versions of Hurst's story; remakes were released in 1941 and 1961. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Irene Dunne, John Boles, (more)
- 1933
Distantly related to Frederick Lewis Allen's non-fiction book of the same name, Only Yesterday uses fictional characters to trace the years between 1917 and 1929. Wealthy New Yorker John Boles recalls a long-ago affair with southern belle Margaret Sullavan. She gave birth to his child without ever naming the father, then moved to New York herself and set up a dress shop. As the stock-market crash of 1929 wipes out his life savings, Boles becomes remorseful over how he's forgotten Sullavan, who is now dying. He acknowledges that he is the father of her child, and promises to make a good life for the boy despite his dire financial situation. Only Yesterday opens with a remarkable montage sequence showing the devastating effects of the Depression; after that, it never quite gains momentum despite the superb performance of Margaret Sullavan (in her film debut). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Margaret Sullavan, John Boles, (more)
- 1934
The first of two film version of Fannie Hurst's novel, 1934's Imitation of Life chronicles the friendship between two women--one white (Claudette Colbert), one black (Louise Beavers). Colbert is a widow with a baby daughter who hires Beavers, who also has a daughter, as a housekeeper. Colbert is a working girl who yearns to operate her own business, which she does thanks to Beavers' special pancake recipe. A family friend (Ned Sparks) suggests that the ladies form a corporation to merchandise the "Aunt Delilah" pancake mix, and within ten years both women are quite wealthy. Colbert's relationship with her teenaged daughter (Rochelle Hudson) is strained when both ladies vie for the attentions of the same man, but these problems are minor compared to the travails of Beavers, who not only must deal with the De Facto segregation of the 1930s but must also contend with her restless daughter (Fredi Washington), who resents being an African-American and attempts to pass for white. The heartbroken Beavers dies, and at her funeral her now-chastened daughter weeps out her apologies for turning her back on her mother. Imitation of Life was remade in 1959, its story glamorized and updated to accommodate star Lana Turner. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Claudette Colbert, Warren William, (more)
- 1935
A man who has ruined a woman's life attempts to make good on his debt to her (and his conscience) in this sudsy drama based on a best-selling novel by Lloyd C. Douglas. Bobby Merrick (Robert Taylor) is an alcoholic ne'er-do-well whose recklessness causes the death of Dr. Hudson, a respected physician. Helen Hudson (Irene Dunne), the doctor's widow, turns away from Merrick's apology, only to walk into traffic. She's struck by a car and blinded. Shaken by the tragic events, Merrick gives up alcohol and begins studying to become a doctor and right the wrong he's done to Helen. As he begins spending time at the family's estate through a mutual friend, Helen grows fond of his frequent visits, and they begin to fall in love. However, when Helen learns that Merrick is responsible for her husband's death and her own accident, she moves away to a place where he cannot find her. In time, Merrick becomes a gifted eye surgeon, and he learns that he could restore Helen's sight with a delicate and dangerous operation that he has never performed before. Magnificent Obsession was a box-office success that spawned a 1954 remake directed by Douglas Sirk and starring Rock Hudson and Jane Wyman. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Irene Dunne, Robert Taylor, (more)
- 1937
The true story of one of Ireland's leading political figures of the late 19th Century inspired this biographical drama. Charles Stewart Parnell (Clark Gable) is a politician and activist whose tireless work towards the cause of Irish independence has earned him the nickname "the Uncrowned King of Ireland." After a fund-raising trip to the United States, Parnell is introduced to Katie O'Shea (Myrna Loy), whose husband Willie O'Shea (Alan Marshall) is running for Parliament. In truth, Katie and Willie's marriage is on its last leg; she despises him, but he refuses to give her a divorce, in part because Katie's wealthy Aunt Bea (Edna Mae Oliver) is willing to pay him to keep his distance. Willie hopes that a friendship between Katie and Parnell could be a stepping stone towards an endorsement from Parnell -- which, given his popularity, would make a massive difference in the polls. However, as Parnell continues to rally support for a free Ireland, he finds he's fallen in love with Katie, and she is also strongly attracted to him. When Willie learns of their romance, he makes a devious proposal to Parnell -- with an independent Irish state seemingly imminent, and with Parnell the likely leader, Willie demands a high office within his administration, or otherwise he'll tell the world about Parnell's affair with a married woman, which could end his career and set the cause of Irish freedom to a halt. Parnell was an infamous box-office disappointment in its day, and Gable's significant other Carole Lombard was said to have loved teasing him about the film; it's failure led Gable to pledge he'd never make another costume picture, though he later relented when Gone With The Wind came along. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, (more)
