Wives Under Suspicion

I noticed one of the reviewers complained about Warren William's tendency to over-act. Well, as a fan of the actor, I tend to agree--he DID over-act--and I generally liked his bigger than life and devil-may-care persona. That is why I decided to see "Wives Under Suspicion"--I'd watch just about anything starring this now forgotten star. Sadly, however, this was not one of his better films and it isn't surprising--by 1938, William had moved from his very successful career at Warner Brothers to Universal (a must less prestigious studio at that time) and the budgets were clearly smaller and it showed.

The film begins with William as a gung-ho District Attorney. He lives to prosecute and convict people--and his marriage and personal life have suffered. All he really cares about is winning--and sending as many people as he can to death row. However, when the case of a man who murdered his wife in a fit of anger (Ralph Morgan) is given to him, eventually the parallels between this case and his own sad life became apparent.

I think the biggest problem with this film is that the cast was amazingly limp. Morgan and William were very competent actors, but here they were NOT at their best. In particular, Morgan has a scene where he is supposed to cry but it comes off very poorly--embarrassingly so. In addition, while the story idea is good, the direction and dialog is all either limp or overdone. Director Whale (who made quite a name for himself directing the first two Frankenstein films at Universal) had clearly seen better days and the film failed to impress. It really should have been a lot better given the neat story idea.

District Attorney Warren William works so hard he neglects wife Gail Patrick. He's ferociously prosecuting a case against Ralph Morgan, accused of killing his wife. Morgan's lawyer tells him it was temporary insanity and wants to bargain it down to manslaughter. Warren laughs at the deal. Then he comes to believe his wife is about to leave him for a lover.

Based on a play by Ladislas Fodor, director James Whale had already made this story as a pre-code, THE KISS BEFORE THE MIRROR. William plays this like he's playing Caesar for Demille. It's an uneasy set of volumes, playing it immense while cross-examining a defense witness, then minutely observing a small detail, then laughing amiably with his office staff. I think he and the director were trying for a manic-depressive character, but William was always deliberate and mannered in his performances. As a result, it's one of those movies that is fascinating to watch, even if it doesn't work. With Cecil Cunningham, Cnstance Moore, William Lundigan, Samuel S. Hinds, and Jonathan Hale.

"District Attorney Stowell" (Warren William) is a man who prides himself on the number of cases he has prosecuted that has resulted in the death penalty. But this notoriety comes with a price because, in order to attain these convictions, he has had to spend a great amount of time at the office--which puts a definite strain on his marriage. Needless to say, when he cancels a vacation at the last minute for a very important case, his wife "Lucy Stowell" (Gail Patrick) doesn't take it too well. Knowing this, he tries to make amends but in doing so he begins to suspect that she has found someone else, and this infuriates him beyond anything he has ever experienced. Even more ironic is that the case he is working on parallels his current situation. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this was an interesting film which had a decent plot but suffered from a mediocre script and a lack of suspense or passion. That's not to say it was a bad film by any means, but it certainly could have been better and for that reason I have rated it accordingly. Average.

District Attorney Jim Stowell (Warren William) fears that he is neglecting his wife Lucy Stowell (Gail Patrick) in favor of his work. A case comes in. A man murdered his cheating wife. Jim starts to conflate the case with his own life.

This is a remake of The Kiss Before the Mirror (1933) based on a play. I'm not sure why they remade this so soon after the first movie. I haven't seen the other version. This should feel more cinematic or bigger. Something is falling a bit flat. I would like Lucy to play more into his fears. I still like the concept and Warren Williams. I probably need to see the original.

Wives Under Suspicion from 1938 is a remake of a film called The Kiss Before the Mirror. Directed by James Whale, it's not his best.

This version stars Warren William, Gail Patrick, Ralph Morgan, William Lundigan, and Constance Moore.

William plays a hanging prosecutor, Jim Stowell - he has an abacus with skulls he moves over when he sends someone to the chair. He is not a pleasant guy. His wife Lucy (Patrick) feels alone, as he is dedicated to his work. He does love her and promises her a big vacation.

It doesn't happen because of a big case - a man (Morgan) who found his wife with another man and kills her. He tells the most pathetic story imaginable, and it's recorded. The minute he's taken away, Stowell laughs, dismisses his story as garbage, and plans on getting him the chair.

Lucy is extremely moved by the man's story and feels she doesn't know her husband any longer. Stowell becomes jealous of her platonic friendship with a young man (Lundigan). One night, he sees them talking and rage builds up inside him. He suddenly sees what he has become.

William is a favorite of mine; he always turned in a good performance. Beautiful Gale Patrick is lovely as Lucy - she of course became Gail Patrick Jackson, the producer of the Perry Mason series. Ralph Morgan was a very sympathetic defendant.

The performances helped to hold interest.