Unholy Love

Doctor Lyle Talbot reveals to the surprise of his father, Doctor H.B. Warner, that he is married to Joyce Compton. He's surprised and dismayed. They're a prominent family in Rye, New York, and Lyle long has had an understanding with Lila Lee, the daughter of Kathlyn Williams. He makes an effort, but the women all snub Joyce, except for Miss Lee, and the men think Joyce is easy pickings.

It's a modern dress version of MADAME BOVARY with a little ANNA KARENINA thrown in. It's a great idea for Pre-Code 1932. Unfortunately, director Albert Ray directs the actors in such a slow and portentous style that even Mr. Warner seems wooden. Also, the script has been cut for running as a second feature, so Miss Lee is never seen doing anything wrong until after she's ignored by all the right people. Instead, it isn't until just before the end that we learn about her Dark Past from Beryl Mercer. At that point, it sounds more like slander than reportage to me.

Screenwriter Frances Hyland was about to go on a rampage of some very good movies, mostly Bs for the major studios. It looks to me like this one might have been something worthwhile, but the men in charge of the production simply were not up to the challenge.