Stronger Than Desire

Some say that 1939 was the best movie year ever. Well, rack up another good one for 1939: "Stronger Than Desire".

This is sort of an under-the-radar women's picture that is not your big splashy ballyhoo project but it is worthwhile being just what it is. Beyond the murder, criminal trial etc. it should be mentioned that the lead actresses Virginia Bruce and Ann Dvorak stay totally in character and deliver some true emotion, seriously and no kidding. You can tell they were both committed to their roles and to this film's point of view.

It has a rather ordinary plot but it is elevated by excellent performances and overall film craftsmanship that is far beyond the b-movie budget. All the acting is first-rate. For example, even the little girl gives a superior child-actor performance. And the gigolo/heel part is very well written and performed- you will be convinced that this guy is really evil.

This film has some cautionary points to make and an effective overall theme that some things are stronger than mere desire/flirtation. You will "get it". "Stronger Than Desire" is a good example of a lawyer/courtroom type film, with emphasis more on drama rather than accurate legal proceedings.

This is part pre-noir, part white telephone women's picture. Walter Pigeon is less annoying than he generally was. The fancy-schmancy diction that was by no means limited to him works in this role as a rich lawyer.

The ladies are a great bunch: Virginia Bruce as his suffering wife who is accused of murder. Rita Johnson as a society girl he gets off a murder rap. Ilka Chase as Bruce's pal. And the great Ann Dvorak, not at her peak here but always good, as the wife of the cad who is murdered -- maybe by Bruce.

Thr dialogue is snappy, the plot moves along. But the denouement is annoying: Yes, Dvorak shot her husband to death but he was such a nasty person he deserved it. The jury buys this and Pigeon, Bruce, and their darling child are off on a long vacation in Europe.

WALTER PIDGEON stars as a man famous for being a defense lawyer who gets women cleared of murder charges in circumstantial cases.

Little does he know that he's soon going to be taking a case where a woman (ANN DVORAK) is charged with murdering her husband--and that his own wife (VIRGINIA BRUCE) was involved with the murdered man (LEE BOWMAN). In fact, his wife thinks she murdered Bowman in an accidental struggle over a gun. All of this leads to a courtroom scene where a plot twist reveals what really happened.

What distinguishes this little programmer from most B-films produced by MGM are the performances. Particularly effective are Virginia Bruce who manages to overcome a tendency to be bland by giving a very earnest performance as the woman who finds herself in difficult circumstances after realizing her friendship with Lee Bowman is really a set-up for blackmail.

And ANN DVORAK, never one of my favorite actresses, is really outstanding here as Bowman's long suffering wife who doesn't know that her lawyer's wife is "the other woman" involved with her husband. Not only is she photographed attractively, but she makes the most of a meaty supporting role.

RICHARD LANE does his usual competent job in a supporting role but it's the ladies who stand out in performances worthy of a better script. ILKA CHASE does her usual "best friend of the leading lady" bit, the sort of role she was relegated to throughout most of her career. Little ANN TODD is tolerable as the child who wishes her father could spend more time with her.

While Pidgeon is solid as the lawyer, it's Virginia Bruce and Ann Dvorak who have the most rewarding roles and take most of the spotlight.

Stronger Than Desire - what is it exactly? Ambition, survival, conscience? Will have to watch it again to check on that. Sometimes these titles seemed pretty random ... But, this is a good movie, not one that limped through on the strength of the stars or performances or scenery or some particular aspect which kind of made up for something else. It was overall good, I thought.

Everyone has favorites. Someone here cracked on Walter Pidgeon's diction - watch it! :-) Hey, they all spoke and dressed bigger than life in that era. Remember, movies were not mirrored to everyday life people back then. I personally enjoyed that.

Man, Lee Bowman's character should go down on the super slimy list. Don't remember seeing him do one like this before.

There really were a lot of characters in this. Ilka Chase (or "Jo") stood out to me. Didn't notice her in anything before this movie. True, her friend support was pretty effusive, but I liked her. If unknown to you and you are curious as well, click on her name in the cast listing for IMDb's info on her. Very interesting. Surprising.

This B-remake of Evelyn Prentice stars Walter Pidgeon as an expensive defense lawyer who defends a woman for murder, not realizing that his own wife is involved in the case. Virginia Bruce plays Pigeon's wife, Ann Dvorak the pro bono client.

Although Stronger than Desire is a B film, it is a solid one. Pidgeon is marvelous as an attorney unsuccessfully trying to juggle home and a busy career, and Bruce is lovely as the wife with something to hide.

Rita Johnson has a fun supporting role as a defendant who is acquitted with Pidgeon's help and then wants to thank him - personally, and Ilka Chase is a family friend. A good viewing experience.