True Confession

As always, Carole Lombard was able to show her comedic genius in this 1937 film. As a writer with quite an imagination, she is married to struggling lawyer Fred MacMurray. He is struggling probably because he is so ethical. As the couple is suffering financially, Lombard takes a position with a fiend who wants far more than secretarial skills and when he winds up dead, she becomes the prime suspect. MacMurray, believing she is guilty, represents her and pulls the idea that she was defending herself against the rogue when he came on to her. John Barrymore steals the film as a drunken rogue who is constantly appearing at the trial. His revelation at the end is hilarious, but the outcome is inane. Kudos to Edgar Kennedy as the flustered detective who accuses Lombard of the crime. Una Merkel completes the cast as Lombard's friend. They could almost be like Lucy and Ethel.

As noted in most of the reviews here, Carole Lombard is remarkable in this unique screwball comedy. Although she plays the part of a chronic liar, she brings it off such charm and humor that it's easy to see why her husband, a self-described "stickler for honesty", tolerates her excesses. I watched this movie without knowing anything about it before-hand (I'd never heard of it, actually), and I'm glad I knew nothing going in. The plot is surprising, with Carole's character spinning her webs and sending events in strange and unexpected directions. So this won't be much of a review: please watch this movie. If you have any fondness for this genre, you'll probably be pleasantly surprised.

Carole Lombard plays Helen Bartlett, an aspiring writer, who is married to Ken Bartlett (played by Fred McMurray who was her co-star in other films). Her husband Ken is an aspiring and struggling lawyer. Una Merkel plays her best friend, Daisy. Hattie McDaniel has a small part as Ella towards the end of the film. John Barrymore is Charles Jasper. Anyway, Helen decides to earn extra money as a secretary to wealthy Otto Kraler. Things don't go as planned when she realizes his true motives. Otto is discovered murdered in his home and Helen is the prime suspect. Despite the obvious misunderstandings, Lombard makes you believe in her character despite the craziness of it all. I found the story to be somewhat weak in some parts. I never thought a murder could be turned into comedic terms. Anyway if you love Lombard in her slapstick comedy, you'll love and appreciate her in this film.

In its attempt to touch several different subjects, from the rise of the working girl in the 1930s to lecherous male advances and from the paradoxes of law and justice to the benefits and the consequences of lying, "True Confession" ends up feeling unfocused and maybe even a little pointless. In my opinion, John Barrymore's "great criminologist" character is more weird than funny, and gets too much screen time, sometimes in scenes separated from the main story. Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray are perfectly okay in their roles, but for me the revelation of the movie is Una Merkel, who plays Lombard's level-headed best friend. Her bewildered facial expressions are both adorable and funny, and she makes particularly witty use of her eyes. Having recently watched the "Torchy Blane" film series, she reminded me of Glenda Farrell - she even wears the same type of hat! The "Carole Lombard Glamour Collection" on DVD features a stunningly fresh-looking print of this movie. ** out of 4.

A witty, original black comedy made at the height of the screwball comedy era of the 1930's. Carole Lombard's role originates the wacky wife that became a staple in films and television. Her efforts to make her husband (Fred MacMurray)a successful lawyer offer a still-relevant critique of what Americans tolerates of people "making it" and "getting ahead" in American society, in addition to sharp, witty comments on the meaning of celebrity in American society. The playing of MacMurray and Lombard as husband and wife is vibrant, sexy, wholly believable. They radiate a sense of joy playing off each other. The teaming of MacMurray, Lombard, and John Barrymore makes for one of the most memorable screen teamings ever. Una Merkel is sharp as Lombard's best friend. Beautiful, sunny, often noirish photography enhances the beauty of the stars and the black aspects of the plot.