The Last of Mrs. Cheyney

A comedy of manners, requiring close concentration to catch the liveliness of the dialogue. Basil Rathbone is magnificent as a dapper wolf; his performance is perhaps the best I've seen in a role like this, of course aided by the snappy discourse between himself and the slower-but-sweeter Norma Shearer. No classic but very entertaining. Anyone amused by witty pick-up lines from the 30's should find this quite funny.

Talky, uncinematic and slow-as-molasses, "The Last of Mrs. Cheyney" (1929) is really for film historians only (the second half is SLIGHTLY more tolerable than the first). Norma Shearer is OK but not yet in full bloom, Basil Rathbone comes off best, while Herbert Bunston is particularly awful. Gotta love the "good woman" = "virgin" coded speak, though. ** out of 4.

This 1929 version has all the tight pacing and wit that the 1937 film lacks. It also doesn't have the tacked-on moralizing ending that so blights the 1937 version. Basil Rathbone (so young!) is charming and funny with that hint of edge that he could do so well. The two-part scene in which he invites Norma Shearer for a little supper at his apartment and is then verbally rebuffed by the "butler," only to return to kiss the hem of Norma's garment is priceless. I watched it four times. Basil Rathbone is believable as an English lord in ways that Robert Montgomery in the 1937 version is so painfully not believable. George Barraud as Charles effaces himself effectively in the beginning scenes as the butler, and his scenes with Rathbone are not marred by the hint of effeminacy Montgomery brings to his fraternization scenes with the butler when that is not called for in the script. As much as I love William Powell, and I think he's the only reason to see the 1937 version, he can't manage to efface himself effectively in the beginning scenes as the butler. He's always William Powell. As enjoyable as Powell is, when you see George Barraud move from effacement to boldness, you really see how it should be done.

I found this early talkie difficult to watch and I'm a Norma Shearer fan! It's not her fault, but the primitive production values of this film would cause any viewer to become bored. 90% of the movie is filmed with "medium shots," and it's very similar to watching a dull play.

Posing as a wealthy Australian widow, con woman Norma Shearer (as Fay Cheyney) encroaches herself in Monte Carlo society. Her nefarious plans are complicated by an attraction for Lord Basil Rathbone (as Arthur Dilling). This version of Frederick Lonsdale's hit play is in good hands with director Sidney Franklin, who had a lack of flash that was perfect for early talking films; he manages the new technology competently. Ms. Shearer is charming and theatrical. In his sound debut, Mr. Rathbone makes a good impression despite raccoon eye make-up. Handsome rival George Barraud (as Charles) is impressively natural and Herbert Bunston (as Elton) chews into the script. MGM tried a re-make in 1937 with Joan Crawford , but it failed to move "The Last of Mrs. Cheyney" off the stage. The plot has appeared in dozens of other stories.

****** The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (7/6/29) Sidney Franklin ~ Norma Shearer, Basil Rathbone, George Barraud, Herbert Bunston