Journal of a Crime (Warner Bros.) (1934)

Daily Suories 3 (Review ) “Journal of a Crime” Hits Home With Smashing Power Ruth Chatterton’s Portrayal of Woman Who Kills Rival Is Triumph in Dramatic Art LA: THOUGH the picture public is led to expect nothing but the best in the way of film entertainment from Ruth Chatterton, yet never has she given such a demonstration of sheer power in the portrayal of scenes of tremendous emotion as she does in “Journal of a Crime,’ which was shown on the screen of the. . time yesterday. the First National picture . . Theatre for the first In the role of a highly sensitive woman of fine breeding who is goaded into committing murder to keep a ruthless love pirate from wrecking her home, she gives a character portrayal that is masterly, superior even to her work in “Frisco Jenny” or “Madame X.” Her interpretation of the warped and tortured spirit of a woman suffering not only from the commission of the act of murder but the hatred and the scorn of the husband she loves more than life, together with the crushing realization that another is accused of the crime, would tax the dramatic genius of a Bernhardt, but Miss Chatterton rises to the situation with a dramatic exhibition that is astounding even for the first lady of the screen. She proves conclusively that she has a keen insight into character under any emotional stress and the talent to move the public with her own depth of feeling. As an actress she is superb. No better actor could have been chosen to play opposite Miss Chatterson than the cool, suave manof-the-world, Adolphe Menjou, who gives a virile and convincing performance as the playwright husband whose infatuation for the beautiful and popular star of his musical production brings about the tragedy. His portrayal of the philandering husband whose indifference is at first turned to hatred upon discovering his wife’s guilt, then later changing to scorn and finally to pity that eventually leads to a rebirth ‘of love, is both ably and subtly conveyed. Claire Dodd gives a_ splendid performance in the role of the home wrecker, the beautiful idol of Paris, in whose self-centered life nothing counts except her own selfish pleasures and the plaudits of the multitude in which she basks her vanity. Noel Madison gives an excellent portrayal of the criminal accused of the murder, as does. Douglas Drumbrille in the role of the prosecutor who sends him to the guillotine, and George Barbier as the producer in whose theatre the drama centers. The less conspicuous. roles are well handled by Henry O’Neill, Phillip Reed, Henry Kolker and others. While something of a psychological study, the picture is not without plenty of fast action such as the actual killing which takes place while the woman is singing in a rehearsal, and the chase and capture of a criminal in the flies of the theatre. As much of the action. takes place in the theatre an insight into backstage life in a Paris musical revue house is given, with other scenes in the gay cafes and night clubs, along the French Riviera and behind the grim walls of the noted Sante prison. Warner Bros. can again be commended not only in the selection of a powerful vehicle for Miss Chatterton, but one with a climax so novel and unusual that it leaves the spectator gasping with surprise. The picture is based on_ the drama of the noted French playwright, Jacques Deval, and was ably adapted for the screen by F. Hugh Herbert and Charles Kenyon. William Keighley, director, has caught the spirit and the power of the production admirably and made a picture that no one should miss. Ruth Chatterton at ...+ Theatre Today in ‘Journal of Grime’ Ruth Chatterton comes to the . Theatre today in “Journal of a Crime,” her latest starring vehicle for First National, which is claimed to be the finest produc tion in’ which she has ever appeared. Based on the powerful drama of the French playwright, Jacques Deval, it certainly offers her untold opportunity of dramatic expression in which art she is the peer of any actress of the screen, or for that matter the stage, for she was one of the headliners on Broadway before she began work in pictures. The drama depicts the devastating effects of a murder on the conscience of a sensitive and refined woman, although that murder was committed to save her home from a love pirate. Besides this emotional side of the play there is much thrilling action, including the actual murder committed behind the wings of a theatre where the star of a musical revue is shot down during a rehearsal. Miss Chatterton has the role of the murderess and is supported by an unusually strong and talented cast. Adolphe Menjou plays opposite her as her husband playwright whose philanderings with the beautiful and popular star of his revue leads to the tragedy. Claire Dodd, noted for her homewrecking roles, has the part of the musical comedy star and rival of Miss Chatterton for the affections Real Crime Occurs During Production of ‘Journal of Crime’ A real crime was committed on the set of “Journal of a Crime” at the First National studios during the production of the picture, which is now showing at the.... Theatre. When Director William Keighley got ready to shoot a mystery close-up of Ruth Chatterton and Adolphe Menjou, it was discovered that a certain silk handkerchief, an important clue in the scene, had disappeared. There was nothing to do but find it, for the missing article had been used in previous scenes and it would be hard to match with a duplicate. Prop men, messenger boys, the script-girl, assistant directors, in fact everyone. on the set was pressed into service, but not a sign of the hankie was found. Menjou had an idea. Visiting him were his Sealyham, “Terry,” and “Muggsy,” a ‘Scottie. He told the latter what was wrong and advised him to go to work. “Terry” got off, not being in sight. Meanwhile valuable minutes were ticking away. Then “Muggsy” hove into sight, proudly bearing the missing article. A few steps in the rear slunk “Terry,” guilt plainly written on his homely face. The scene was shot and the real journal of a crime was caninely solved for the reel “Journal of a Crime.” : The picture is Ruth Chatterton’s latest starring vehicle and_ is based on Jacques Deval’s powerful drama of Parisian theatrical life in which the star of a show is slain by the playwright’s wife. Claire Dodd has the role of the show girl, while others in the cast include George Barbier, Douglas Dumbrille, Noel Madison, Henry O’Neill and Phillip Reed. of Menjou. Others in the cast include George Barbier, Douglas Dumbrille, Noel Madison, Henry O’Neill, Phillip Reed, Henry Kolker and Frank Reicher. The play gives an _ interesting sidelight on Parisian theatrical life, many of the dramatic scenes taking place backstage in a musical revue theatre. The play was adapted to the screen by F. Hugh Herbert and Charles Kenyon and directed by William Keighley. FREAK FACTS... . AS0Ur FIM FAVORITES STILL PLAYS WITH DOLLS AND HAS HOLLYWOODS MOST UNIQUE DOLL COLLECTION. ~ nee CHAT MERTON BETWEEN SCENES OF HER PICTURES. ge ADOLPHE MENJOU SP % HOLLY WOOD'S ae ; SWANKIEST DRESSER > MAKES HIS VALET BREAK-IN HIS NEW SUITS BEFORE HE DONS THEM. These three popular stars are in the cast of First National’s “Journal of a Crime,”’ now at the Strand Editors go for this feature in a big way.If you haven’t used it yet, start now. You won’t regret it! Mat No. 10—20c Claire Dodd Hollywood’s Champion Home Wrecker But She Is Slain by the Wife of Her Lover in “Journal of a Crime’”’ an ‘the other woman’ once again.” Claire Dodd, who has wrecked more screen romances than any other Hollywood actress, was answering an inquiry anent her role in her latest First National picture, “Jour nal of a Crime,’ now showing at the . ... Theatre, with Ruth Chatterton in the stellar role. Practically ever since her debut in pictures Claire has been breaking up nice screen romances or portraying the third member of the triangle that eventually breaks up the idea] home and fireside combination. A Lady in Distress Ruth Chatterton, charming star of the new First National drama, “Journal of a Crime,” seems inconsolable despite the attentive ministrations of Phillip Reed. Adolphe Menjou and Claire Dodd are numbered in the strong supporting cast. The picture opens at the Strand on Wednesday. Mat No. 3—20c She is quite accustomed, by this time, to accepting the unsympathetic roles and rather enjoys the distinction of being so convincing in her “love menace” characterizations. “T’ve even been sitting in an audience,” she confided, ‘and heard women say how much they hate my type.” Those women didn’t know it, but they were paying Claire the greatest compliment an actress can receive—that of being convincing in an unsympathetic role. “Ah—but I get my just deserts in this picture,” she went on. “I’m shot and killed, you know. That’s a brand-new experience for me too. Quite frequently the villain is killed, but isn’t it unusual to have the villainess killed? In most pictures and plays the villainess is shown finally suffering for her sins, but this covers the matter more thoroughly. TI can’t quite imagine any form of punishment more thorough than death, can you?” Claire knows what is what about this villainous business, for that’s been her specialty in picture work. You'll remember her in “Footlight Parade” as Virginia, the showgirl gone Park Avenue who promptly commandeered the affections of James Cagney, much -to the displeasure of Joan Blondell, the girl who really loved him. In Joe E. Brown’s “Elmer the Great,” Claire was the sophisticated “city gal” who managed to usurp the affections while Patricia Ellis waited in vain for Joe’s return from the big city. When Chester Morris became an influential gang leader in “Blondie Johnson” with the aid of Joan Blondell, it was Claire Dodd who won his attentions, sending the Blondell-Morris romance on the rocks. Just when James Cagney and Mary Brian were in the midst of a lovely romance in “Hard to Handle,” Claire Dodd had to come on the scene in the person of Marlene Reeves, the society girl who promptly turned his head. And now with “Journal of a Crime,” the locale of which is Paris, the background might be foreign, but Claire’s work. is still the same—‘the other woman.” She is Odette, the actress for love of whom Adolphe Menjou neglects Ruth Chatterton, his wife of the picture, to the point where she kills her husband’s lover. Claire says she enjoyed hugely her work in “Journal of a Crime,” which is from the famous French play of that title by Jacques Deval. “This is an extremely interesting story,” she said. “It’s one of the most humanly interesting plots I’ve ever seen transferred to the screen. There’s an especial appeal in that it’s a very honest insight on feminine psychology.” Just as James Cagney in _ his real life existence is the direct opposite of his hard-boiled screen character, Claire Dodd away from the cameras is worlds removed from the roles she portrays so convincingly on the silver screen. eee... Page Four