The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1929 film)

The Last of Mrs. Cheyney

theatrical poster
Directed by Sidney Franklin
Produced by Irving Thalberg (uncredited)
Written by Hans Kraly
Claudine West
Based on The Last of Mrs. Cheyney
by Frederick Lonsdale
Starring Norma Shearer
Basil Rathbone
Music by William Axt
Cinematography William H. Daniels
Edited by Conrad A. Nervig
Production
company
Release dates
  • July 26, 1929 (1929-07-26)
Running time
 94 minutes
Country United States
Language English

The Last of Mrs. Cheyney is a 1929 American Pre-Code comedy-drama film directed by Sidney Franklin. The screenplay by Hanns Kräly is based on the 1925 play of the same name by Frederick Lonsdale which ran on Broadway for 385 performances.[1] The film was remade twice, with the same title in 1937 and as The Law and the Lady in 1951.

Plot

Resourceful and engaging Fay Cheyney, posing as a wealthy Australian widow at a Monte Carlo hotel, befriends Mrs. Webley with the intention of stealing her pearl necklace, a plot devised by Charles, her butler and partner-in-crime. Complicating the situation are the romantic feelings she develops for Lord Arthur Dilling, Mrs. Webley's nephew. While taking the necklace during a party in the Webley home, Fay is caught by Arthur, who threatens to expose her unless she submits to him. Rather than compromise her principles, she confesses to her hostess, who plans to contact the police until Lord Elton, another guest, recalls Fay has a love letter he wrote her that could prove to be embarrassing to everyone present. They offer her money in exchange for the letter and her freedom, but when she destroys the letter and refuses their payment, they welcome her back into their social circle.

Cast

Critical reception

Mordaunt Hall of The New York Times said, "It is a well-arranged picture, but nevertheless one in which it is not difficult to detect where Mr. Lonsdale left off and where the scenario writers tried their hand at dialogue . . . There are a number of interesting dramatic passages that are pictured with considerable cunning. The dialogue goes on for some time, and Sidney Franklin, the director, keeps his players busy, which is a relief after seeing talking screen images standing in the same spot until they have had their say."[2]

Edwin Schallert of the Los Angeles Times observed, "In the portrayals, Miss Shearer averaged well. She evidences a more precise expressiveness facially than she does vocally, and some of her very best scenes are in the silent ones. Nevertheless, she measures very well to the majority of the role’s requirements, the crispness of her voice being well suited to the repartee portions. She is exceedingly attractive in the role."[3]

Awards and honors

Screenwriter Hanns Kräly competed with himself for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and won instead for The Patriot.

References

  1. ↑ The Last of Mrs. Cheyney on IBDB.com
  2. ↑ New York Times review
  3. ↑ The Last of Mrs. Cheyney at HollywoodLegends.webs.com
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