Manslaughter

In this talkie remake of the 1922 Cecil B. De Mille movie, Claudette Colbert is the rich, careless girl who runs down a police officer; Frederick March is the District Attorney who is first her lover, and then her prosecutor. In the silent version, these roles had been taken by Beatrice Joy and Thomas Meighan.

Under the direction of George Abbott, who was taking a wanderjahr in Hollywood, the performances are excellent. Archie Stout offers camerawork that is simultaneously American, yet offers a shadow-filled prison that looks a bit Germanic. The dialogue is slightly coy for a Pre-Code movie, but there's no mistaking what is going on when March wins her conviction then quits his job to go on a long drunk.

It's a proper three-act drama with an epilogue. In the first, Miss Colbert is a heedless young thing, who gets caught speeding and then drops a bracelet as a bribe for the speed cop. In the second, her maid has stolen her bracelet, and Miss Colbert agrees to testify for her, but can't be bothered. On finding out, she speeds to the court, strikes the officer she bribed, and witnesses what happens when she kills someone. She goes through a wide range of emotions under Abbott's direction. In the epilogue...

It's a well-made and affecting story, and the leads do a fine job. Nonetheless, Demille's version hangs a heavy pall over this, even though it is claimed as his worst movie. I really can't say. It's been a long time since I saw it, and have no clear memory. I shall have to remedy that gap.

"Manslaughter" is an early film in Claudette Colbert's career and although she is the star, it's not a particularly good movie...mostly because she wasn't yet a big star. In other words, she had to appear in whatever crap she could find as she had no power in Hollywood and at least it's a starring role.

Lydia (Colbert) is a rich young lady with a strong sociopathic bent. When her servant is caught stealing Lydia's jewels, Lydia promises to go to court to plead for mercy...but she just doesn't bother! A bit later, she's once again driving about town like a maniac...and a cop is killed due to her actions. Inexplicably, she insists she's guilty and deserves whatever she gets...a HUGE change from how she acted in the story before this.

Lydia is sent to prison...as she clearly deserves. But oddly, the man prosecuting the case (Frederic March) is a guy who is infatuated with Lydia...and vice-versa. This whole romance portion of the film is pretty silly...especially since they barely know each other and she is so incredibly awful! Why would he love her? And, following his conviction, why would he do what he did in the story?! None of the romance rings true in any way. In fact, it's just bad.

In prison, Lydia learns her lesson and becomes a changed woman. This is possible...but hard to believe. What happens next...that's even more difficult to believe!

This is a badly written film with excellent leads. March and Colbert became amazing actors and made some incredible movies shortly after making "Manslaughter"...meaning the bad film didn't end up derailing their career. With lesser actors, this heavyhanded mess MIGHT have destroyed their careers!

Depression moviegoers got a 2-for-1 treat with this melodrama. A festive romance, complete with water skiing and dance parties highlight the first half. An effective and convincing set up for the 'manslaughter' to follow.

Claudete Colbert is mesmerizing as the unrepentant poor-little-rich-girl Lydia Thorne. She is too busy enjoying life's party to feel her conscience, bribing a cop rather than accept a speeding ticket. And when her maid is convicted of stealing her jewels, Lydia's bridge game is more important than a kind word to the judge. A word that would bring years of freedom to her maid's life.

Enter straight shooting District Attourney Dan O'Bannon (Frederic March). He's busy schmoozing political heavyweights with "equal justice for rich and poor" when he falls under Lydia's spell.

Miss Colbert literally sparkles in Archie Stout's photography. Principally backlit, her satin gown and diamond necklace shimmer in the star filter and complete the trap for O'Bannon and viewer alike. Lots of overhead and dolly shots keep the eye-candy coming. This beautifully mounted production gives no clue why Mr. Stout would be doing the cheapo John Wayne westerns 3 years later. Amazingly, Archie Stout would go onto shoot the sumptuously photographed Angel And The Badman for Wayne years later! An automobile accident (not a run over pedestrian as suggested above) triggers the second half of the film and the regeneration of our heroine, and not without delicious plot twists and turns.

Great performances and production make this a must see for the avid talkie buff. And Claudette Colbert fans will be well pleased to find her already in top gear.

Honestly, for a film from 1931 this is as perfectly made as possible. The story is totally absorbing which will appeal to everyone whatever your tastes. The production and acting is superb - faultless and thoroughly enjoyable.

Claudette Colbert is perfect as 'the rich girl who lives on the hill.' She's adorably lovely, naively unaware of her own privilege and innocently unaware of the consequences of her entitled lifestyle. Everyone who knows Lydia loves her and that's all down to Colbert's natural acting. You thoroughly believe that Lydia is a real person you're watching, a real person whom you could fall in love with.

Fredric March is always one of the most naturally likeable guys of the pre-code era and that's no exception in this. His character is a little too good to be true at times but that's needed to offset some of the stuffy over-privileged attitudes of the 'old money' patriarchs of the town. His character is the voice of the common man. He's the one who asks the question, the theme of this picture: should justice be the same for the rich and the poor. That it's actually debated whether rich people have to go to jail seems weird and antiquated at first but then again, have things really changed?

The injustice theme would have been handled very differently, much more vociferously were this made by Warner Brothers. Were it a WB film, her time in jail would probably have made Lydia a much more remorseful like some sort of sexy Scrooge on Christmas Day. In this, her character isn't really changed that much which makes you feel a little annoyed with her but that's actually more realistic and adds to the authenticity.

For a 1930 film the picture quality was surprisingly good,most impressive was the crash scene ,where Colberts reckless driving causes the death and leads to her conviction. Considering this was a very early performance by her ,she plays the part very well- portraying a lack of sensitivity but without being malicious As good as she is ,I have to reluctantly admit that March steals the show -his pain and torment fill up the screen