Temptation

Sometimes one can endure the barest of plots in a Warner Brothers Kay Francis melodrama merely to enjoy the parade of Orry-Kelly creations that Kay wore so perfectly. So it is in this dark melodrama, as semi-glacial Merle Oberon parades across lush sets in an amazing assemblage of distinctive, detailed costumes that put to shame the average melodrama. Oberon marries Egyptologist Brent not for adventure or to help him dig up a legendary mummy, but to be able to have riches for life, to be able to mingle with the well-do-to without apology and it isn't long before she falls afoul of someone not unlike her, an alluring lothario with looks and cunning; as their lusts cool, it doesn't take long for them to start plotting nasty deeds.

But it isn't really the plot that moves this fascinating story along--it's a sense of lush studio style at it's richest, peopled with largely unfamiliar but compelling character actors that provide the sense of a larger world outside. Strong soundtrack, impressive set decor and above all, one magnificent fashion creation after another provide fascination for the viewer who can deal with the melodrama.

I was a little bit put off watching this movie, because I read a few reviews that didn't give it justice however, I'm glad I decided to go over it with my own eyes because it turned out to be a good quality story of lust and greed and murder. Ms Oberon played the part of the wife and femme fatale to perfection. After visiting the Harley street doctor who encouraged her first husband to divorce her due to her infidelities she finds another unsuspecting wealthy man. (She first learns about his passion) Her interest in him & beauty captures his weak & gullible heart into marrying her which from then shows us what she's all about. The ending was also surprising.

Beautiful Merle Oberon in beautiful gowns stars in Temptation from 1946, also starring George Brent and Paul Lucas.

Set in the early 1900s, Oberon stars as Ruby, the wife of an Egyptologist Nigel (Brent) who, in flashback, explains to a doctor (Lucas) why she is encouraging her husband to leave Egypt for a position in London.

The doctor, a good friend of Ruby's current husband, knows her all too well. She has a shady past and an ex-husband. There was some scandal, so much so that back in London, he encouraged her to leave the city and remarry.

At that point, she already had her eye on Egyptologist Brent, and using her charms, marries him and moves to Egypt. She is not in love with him and bored out of her mind.

While he's on a dig, she meets and falls for Mahoud Barudi (Charles Korvin) and becomes obsessed with him. When he becomes desperate for money, he encourages her to do something that will make them both rich so that they can be together.

Good movie with a top cast in a familiar story, directed by Irving Pichel. There is a slight twist, though most of the film is predictable. Recommended for classic film lovers.

We are in Egypt and Merle Oberon (Ruby) is approached by friend and Chief of Police Arnold Moss (Ahmed). He is visiting her as both a friend and in an official capacity. He asks that she attends his station the following day allowing her a final night to come clean with her husband Egyptologist George Brent (Nigel). She asks for a moment with her husband's friend Paul Lukas (Meyer) and so begins the flashback story of her life over the recent 3 years or so, especially her relationship with Charles Korvin (Baroudi).

The cast are good in this film and Oberon is a strong lead character. The dialogue is entertaining and the story keeps the audience engaged. George Brent doesn't have much to do and is pretty much a wet fish throughout the proceedings. The ending is somewhat predictable, forced and rushed but it does allow you to ignore the narrative as presented and come up with your own conspiracy theory. Is that what really happened?

Would you marry a boring man? A work colleague of mine did just that and whilst they are now divorced and she hates him, she found that the grass hasn't been greener and she has been hurt by her cheating next encounter. Sometimes boring can be jolly nice indeed. Actually, boring is one of the worst things - ignore that last thing. My work colleague is a bit weird.

"Temptation" is a film very similar to the great films, "The Letter" (1929, 1940). All of them are about an unfaithful with who murders...and who ultimately must pay for her misdeeds. Instead of the tropical locales used in "The Letter", most of "Temptation" is set in Egypt.

Since the film begins with Ruby (Merle Oberon) being confronted by authorities about her having committed murder, this part of the movie shouldn't come as any surprise. She then recounts the events that led to her deplorable state.

It seems she actively pursued a nice, rich Egyptology professor (George Brent). He loved her, though her doctor was shocked, as she had confided in him that she was setting out to find a rich man...any man. So he certainly wasn't thrilled at the union. After they married, she quickly became bored and dealt with it by an affair with a real piece of work! Where does it all go next and what about the murder? See the film and see for yourself.

The story, though similar to "The Letter" is different enough that it's still a fine film. Well acted, well written and well worth your time.