One More River

Saw this as part of Cinefest 2009 in Syracuse, and it was a revelation. Not that it doesn't stir high expectations: a Galsworthy novel, adapted by playwright R.C. Sheriff (author of the great antiwar play "Journey's End"), directed with great assurance by James Whale, and with a near-amazing cast. As an abused high society wife trying to wrench free of her extremely nasty husband, Diana Wynyard is ladylike and touching. A very young Jane Wyatt is her confidante, Henry Stephenson is a helpful lawyer relative, and Frank Lawton is the appealing young man who falls in love with her. All are upstaged by Mrs. Patrick Campbell, a formidable presence bellowing every line with relish, and she It's remarkably adult for its day, with a modern attitude about adultery (our heroine doesn't, but the movie seems to believe she should). It's literate and fast-moving, and sandwiched between Whale's "The Invisible Man" and "The Bride of Frankenstein," it's one of several examples of how assured he was outside of the horror genre.

"Claire" (Diana Winyard) is married to aspiring politician "Sir Gerald" (Colin Clive) but he's a bit of a brute. It's an incident with a riding crop that finally sends his wife on a cruise where she encounters "Croom" (Frank Lawton). Unfortunately, her husband cannot be seen to not have his wife at his side and so when she flatly refuses a reconciliation, he sets in motion a public divorce that will call the integrity of not just her, but of her new companion into question. Of course, though still entirely platonic, we know that the relationship between the two has burgeoned somewhat - but this isn't really a film about a romance. It's a rather sad indictment of a judicial system that still looked upon a woman as the property of her husband. Not in a feudal sense, but that she might accuse such a prominent and respectable man of ill-treating her was a charge that was always going to fall on deaf ears. It's the ensuing court hearing that brings this to life a bit, with some sparky sparring from lawyers "Brough" (Lionel Atwill), "Forsythe" (Alan Mowbray) and the inquisitive judge (Gilbert Emery) quite cleverly showcasing the one-sidedness of the whole affair. The film also befits from a great cast of supporting favourites who feature sparingly but add depth to a story of state-supported prejudice that Winyard holds together quite well.

This is a superior film, but its impact is attenuated by the great changes in social attitudes toward sex and divorce which have occurred since the time it was filmed. The conflicts and tensions in the story could only occur today in third world nations or very religious communities. Thus, most American viewers can wonder what all the excitement is about.

Diana Wynyard is a revelation. When the film began, she appeared a bit on the plain side. However, she became enchantingly beautiful as the movie progressed. Her soft, pleasant, kind features and the exquisite shape of her head and body impressed me more and more, as did her calm manner and then her assertive testimony in court.She became irresistible.

Universal gave this a veneer of a prestige production. It looked like it was shot in England, except that most of the English performers were already old Hollywood hands. Jane Wyatt wisely didn't try for an English accent. Whales' direction was seamless, but not as flashy as his more famous horror productions. He kept things moving briskly.

One More River (1934)

*** (out of 4)

This James Whale directed melodrama is technically good and the performances are fine but I'd still rank it rather low in regards to the director's filmmography. A woman (Diana Wynyard) goes to England to try and escape her abusive husband (Colin Clive) and on the ship ride over has a nice man (Frank Lawton) fall in love with her. Even though her husband is abusive, she refuses to go any further with the new man and it doesn't take long for the husband to show up and cause trouble. ONE MORE RIVER was based on a very popular novel that of course had to be trimmed down for the big screen due to the production code going into full swing during this period. For the most part I thought the film featured some very good performances from its excellent cast and there's no question that it's rather impressive on a technical side. The biggest issue I had with the film was actually the pacing, which just seemed extremely slow to me and it really took forever for the film to finally pick up some speed. There's no question that the material is old-fashioned but this isn't the reason it goes so slow. Again, the best thing going are the performances with Wynyard really standing out as the abused woman trying to do what's right. Lawton is also good in his role as the man who loves her and Clive proves what a talent he was in just a few scenes. Jane Wyatt appears in his first role and we get good support from Reginald Denny, Henry Stephenson, Lionel Atwill and C. Aubrey Smith.

"One More River" (1934) stars Diana Wynyard, Frank Lawton, Colin Clive as top-liners, but the rest of the cast is stellar! Mrs. Patrick Campbell, C. Aubrey Smith, Jane Wyatt, Reginald Denny, Henry Stephenson, Lionel Atwill, Alan Mowbray, Kathleen Howard, Gilbert Emery, E. E. Clive, and the list just keeps on going. This Universal Studios produced film will have most thinking it was made in England, as most of the stars and even the sets are about as English as can be. Beautifully appointed and directed by James Whale, just after coming off of "The Invisible Man" and just prior to "Bride of Frankenstein", this was more of a diversion for Whale, yet he handles it with major aplomb. Many today will consider the theme of suit for divorce based on adultery rather tame, and this would have had even more of a jolt in 1934 had the Code not just gone into effect, but the finished product still has the ability to hold our attention. Wynyard had just come off of her nomination for Best Actress Oscar for "Cavalcade", but she's much better here, and her quiet, if not elegant, though stolid performance serves the part well. She's matched by the ruthless, somewhat fey, but catty nastiness of her film husband, Colin Clive, in a part that shows he had genuine talent that captured range. Frank Lawton, who passionately loves Wynyard, and who is accused of being the co-respondent in the case against Wynyard, is less well-suited, but effective enough.

Written by John Galsworthy, this was much more potent when first released as a novel, but Whale has whittled the novel down to 88 minutes of film, and he's done it very effectively. The film is talkative, but its pristine presentation still packs a punch. Gorgeous cinematography, good direction, fine acting all around - this is recommended highly actually, though many today will wonder what all the hoopla is about. In effect, the film is now dated, and because it lacks the buzz-buzz of so much activity on screen, the CGI, the crash and bang of today's typical hit, let's say it will play better to those looking for something, not cerebral, but soap-operaish in an old-fashioned way.