Dr. Monica

If approached with a certain attitude about Kay Francis soaps, this can be great fun--who, in the year 2024, could possibly take this film seriously? Instead, enjoy the ways Kay and Warren attempt to skirt around the real issue of the film, i.e. A philandering husband and a pregnancy presenting itself from someone other than his wife! No one in films can suffer quite as easily and nobly as Our Kay, and when she gets that certain look, you know she accepts her fate with perfect equanimity. And if you don't like the plot, count the number of outrageously stylish outfits Our Star Parades with perfect assurance and her distinctive brand of Warner's charm.

Don't faint, but I actually liked Kay Francis in Dr. Monica. Usually I'm her biggest critic, but she did a good job in this entertaining drama. I found her much more believable as a career woman than as a mother, her usual role. She always seemed very self-absorbed to me, a quality that lends itself much more to a high rung on the ladder than a seat in the nursery. In this movie, she's a dedicated obstetrician with a supportive husband, Warren William, who also has his own career. They seem to have a perfect marriage and all their friends envy them.

All except one, Jean Muir. Jean is having an affair with Warren behind Kay's back. If you look the movie up online, you'll get major spoiler alerts as to the rest of the plot. I wouldn't recommend it; just watch the movie and let it unfold naturally. It's a very interesting story with a timeless struggle between the characters. And don't be surprised if you get a lump in your throat at the end. You'll also see Ann Shoemaker and Verree Teasdale in the supporting cast, and Louise Beavers in a small role as Jean's maid.

Dr. Monica (Kay Francis) is a successful Obstetrician and is really, really wrapped up in her job--so much so that when her husband, John (Warren William), goes off to Europe on business for several months, Monica stays home. It's obvious that there are problems in this relationship but Monica doesn't know how deep they are, as John has been having an affair with Mary (Jean Muir)! When Mary ends up pregnant, Monica treats her friend wonderfully...not realizing that Mary is a back-stabbing tramp. But, when Monica finally learns the truth, Mary is in labor and Monica is forced to deliver the baby. However, although Monica is hurt and angry, she's also saint-like and eventually plans to let John go so that he can wed Mary. However, Mary and her friends realize that John really does love Monica and her plan cannot be allowed to occur. So what will they do instead? Yep, leave the baby with Monica, kill yourself so you won't be the one to break up the marriage AND have Monica NEVER tell John the baby is biologically his!!!

This was one of the last Pre-Code films released by Hollywood. It debuted in June, 1934 and the new, tougher code went into effect the following month. As a result, the film was soon pulled from circulation and not re-shown for some time due to its plot. Adultery was NOT to be allowed in films unless it was severely punished and Monica and John's 'modern' sense of morality was definitely NOT allowed Post-Code. For me, however, it's not the morality of the film that's a major issue but the utter ridiculous way that Monica behaves. She is just too understanding, too nice and too unreal. I would have loved to have seen her enraged or downright hostile...instead she's too good and sweet to be real. And, the ending, while satisfying in a Hollywood way, is also completely ridiculous. A real disappointment.

Kay Francis, (Dr. Monica Braden) is madly in love with her husband, John Braden, (Warren William) who is a writer and very seldom sees his wife because she is a very successful physician and travels a great deal. Monica finds out the sad fact that she cannot have any children of her own and she decides to adopt a child. Monica has a girlfriend named Mary Hathaway, (Jean Muir) who is very much attracted to Monica's husband John which she finds out about by listening to his conversation on a phone. Monica keeps the secret to herself and the story gets quite interesting after this event. If you like soap operas from 1934, this is a good Kay Francis special with her giving a great performance.

Kay Francis is successful Dr. Monica Braden, married and madly in love with John Braden (Warren William). Her big sorrow is that she can't conceive, and we learn as the film goes along that she will never be able to conceive.

The film opens at a gathering, and we find out fairly quickly that John was having an affair with Mary Hathaway (Jean Muir), but he broke it off. He tells her to forget him.

Monica and Mary are friends, and Mary has fainting spells - which in old movies could mean only one thing. Never stated, however. Pregnant.

Not only that, but she never looked pregnant. Monica promises to help Mary every step of the way. And she does, until she finds out that the baby is her husband's.

This is dated and preposterous. Was Dr. Monica trying to be a candidate for sainthood? Kay is glamorous, and there's a nice performance from Verree Teasdale.

Precode and a typical Kay Francis melodrama. I don't know of any woman who would behave as she did, pre or post-code.