Confession

The title for the film immediately makes one want to see it, and anybody that reads the plot summary are likely to find themselves intrigued. There were a couple of other reasons for wanting to see 'Confession'. One was the cast, have liked Kay Francis in a good deal of other things (though some are cases where she is better than the other) and am a fan of Basil Rathbone. Joe May was an important figure in his day but has been over-shadowed over-time by Fritz Lang by FW Murnau.

Which is a shame because May proved with the likes of 1929's 'Asphalt' that he could do great work. 'Confession' is another example of May greatness, one of his best. It has often been compared to 'Mazurka' with Pola Negri, namely because it has pretty much the same plot with similarities with that film's score, costumes and camera angles. This doesn't matter though, because 'Confession' is a great film in its own way and doesn't feel too derivative even with the similarities.

'Confession' is a little bit of a slow starter and the structure takes a little getting used to.

Once it gets going though, 'Confession' is excellent pretty much all round. It looks fantastic, not quite as visually innovative as 'Asphalt' but the visual style seen in that film is here too. The photography in particular is dazzling, with some truly inspired and atmospheric use of camera angles. The elaborate and very meticulously detailed settings and eeriness of the lighting can also be seen. The music score is haunting, the use of pre-existing music cleverly used.

May's direction is very accomplished, the best of it actually is so superb (especially on a technical level) that it really is a shame that he is not better known now. The script is intelligently written yet doesn't ramble or be too over-literate. The story is a slow starter, but from the twenty minute mark to the end it kept me on the edge of my seat. The final moments are very moving.

Francis is truly fabulous here, not just elegant but also at her most intense and the tragic aspects of her character are movingly conveyed. It is a strong contender for her best performance. Rathbone is great as usual, in a role with characteristics that he was always very good at doing to a high standard in everything he did. Jane Bryan, Laura Hope Crews and the ever reliable Donald Crisp are strong support.

Summing up, excellent. 9/10

Kay Francis gives what is probably her best, most stunning performance in "Confession" - a near shot-by-shot remake of a 1935 Pola Negri soaper called "Mazurka" about a mother/singer who kills her former lover (Basil Rathbone) as soon as she finds out that he is about court her daughter (Jane Bryan). She is put on trial and asked to recount her story. This is a pretty much a routine "Madame X" weepie about maternal sacrifice but under the direction of Joe May, a German emigré who once collaborated with Fritz Lang in Germany, it becomes an amazingly stylish melodrama with sprawling narrative, expressionist outbursts, inventive camera movements, and interesting use of flashbacks. The final moments after the trial are tragic and sad. I love all Kay Francis' movies; "Confession", I think, is her very best.

This must be the best role Kay Francis ever had - and she rises to it, giving an astonishing performance. When you first see her - in blonde wig, singing and dancing Dietrich style but half-drunk - you know you're in for something different. As the film flashes back Francis transforms into an innocent young girl, and back to the present she stands with solemn dignity, a woman all but "washed-up". You'll never forget the final moments of this film.

When Francis is not on, and it takes her a while to appear, the film is less extraordinary - but by no means bad. Jane Bryan's a bit wet, but Basil Rathbone is suitably slimy as her seducer. And there are strong performances from the wonderful Laura Hope Crews (Aunt Pitty-Pat as an opera singer) and the excellent Donald Crisp.

But it is the visual style of the piece that, coupled with Francis' performance, makes the film unforgettable. The story goes that this is a frame by frame remake of a German film called "Mazurka" starring Pola Negri. This would explain why the film looks so different to the usual Hollywood style. There are bizarre camera angles, expressionist sequences, non-realistic moments, haunting music and bizarre costume, make-up and set designs. Joe May directs with a steady hand, and Sidney Hickox's cinematography and Orry-Kelly's costumes warrant special mention.

This film deserves to be resurrected and re-assessed. It is one of the most original American films of the 1930's. It also makes me want to re-assess the career of Kay Francis, who is an actress I never warmed to before this film. See it and tell me what you think!

Looking older than her years, pretty Polish teenager Jane Bryan (as Lisa) finds herself seduced into kissing suave concert pianist Basil Rathbone (as Michael Michailow). On a date, they see beautiful lounge singer Kay Francis (as Vera) synching "One Hour of Romance" in a sexy costume. When Ms. Francis sees Mr. Rathbone, she faints. As it turns out, Francis has a past connection to Rathbone. Next, one of the film's two startling plot developments occurs, and we move to a murder trial. Francis takes her star position with a flashback to 1912 - and years thereafter, to 1930 - revealing a dark, melodramatic mystery...

Francis proves herself a dynamic tragedienne, especially during the ending trial; darkly costumed, with blonde hair, she emotes fiercely and looks glorious. Ian Hunter (as Leonide Kirow) is credited as the leading man, but he is a supporting player, with relatively little to do. The real leading man is Rathbone, who takes full advantage of a delicious role. "Confession" is a shot-by-shot re-make of Willi Forst's "Mazurka" (1935), which starred Pola Negri (a very influential "silent" actress who lost favor when off-screen affairs preempted on-screen performances). The direction, Joe May swiping Mr. Forst, is excellent.

******* Confession (8/19/37) Joe May ~ Kay Francis, Basil Rathbone, Jane Bryan, Dorothy Peterson

"Mazurka", the German hit movie of 1935, was rethought by Julius Epstein, one of the best writers in the business. The film that resulted was "Confession", a vehicle created for the delicious Kay Francis, who was at the height of her fame at the time. Joe May directed this classic film that will endear itself to all classic movie fans. "Confession" packs a lot in its 86 minutes running time, something that would take a lot more of screen time in the hands of other, self-indulgent directors.

The film involves an older woman, Vera, who has had an unhappy life. She has been betrayed by the composer, and famous pianist, Michael Michailow, who abused her when she was young and full of life. That romance resulted in a girl, Lisa, who unknown to her, is being pursued by Michael Michalow himself! Supposedly, this story is based on an actual case that took place in Germany. It presented a different situation for American audiences, who were attracted by the unusual theme of the movie. We are all conditioned that crime must be punished, but in Vera's case, the killing is mitigated by what she is doing in order to protect Lisa, who is a naive, and decent, young woman.

Kay Francis does an amazing job in her portrayal of Vera. This is one of her best films and it shows the care which the whole project underwent to accommodate its star. Ms. Francis, wearing a blonde wig, sings and dances and makes a tremendous impact that dominates the picture from beginning to end. Basil Rathbone is perfect as the villain Miachel Michailow. The sweet Jane Bryant appears as Lisa. Ian Hunter is seen as Leonid and Donald Crisp does a fine job as the presiding judge.

They don't make movies like this anymore!