Warner Brothers studio apparently had little confidence in this picture and apparently shelved it for three years before ultimately releasing it. Interesting, as it's one of the better Warner films of the era! I think the studio was uncertain about the film because the film does question conventional morality...even pushing the Production Code about as far as anyone did at the time. The other reason I think they sat on the film is that the movie starred many of the second-tier actors-- Jack Carson, Dennis Morgan, Alexis Smith and Ann Sheridan. Had it starred bigger names, I doubt if it would have sat as long...and I don't think the film would have been quite as good. It's hard to imagine Cagney, Bogart or Bette Davis in this film!
When the film begins, you learn that although Tom Collier (Morgan) is from a very wealthy family, he's not content to live the indolent life of the rich or go into the family business. He wants to make it on his own and soon buys a struggling magazine that is considered liberal and on the fringe. It's NOT what the family wants but his father loves him and doesn't press Tom too often to change jobs. But Cecelia (Smith) has every intention of changing him and making him exactly what sort of rich man she demands. Fortunately, Tom has instead fallen for a less conniving and more loving lady, Christie (Sheridan). But when Sheridan rejects Tom, he is easy pickings for Cecelia and they soon marry. However, problems clearly are looming as she's intent on breaking Tom and Tom is determined to be his own man. What's to become of them?
This is a very good film and brings up some great moral quandaries. However, the movie has one problem...Cecelia is just too obviously a horrible person. Had she been a bit more subtle in her machinations, the film would have been even better. Despite this, the acting is excellent, direction quite good and the story quite original and challenging. Well worth seeing.
When the film begins, you learn that although Tom Collier (Morgan) is from a very wealthy family, he's not content to live the indolent life of the rich or go into the family business. He wants to make it on his own and soon buys a struggling magazine that is considered liberal and on the fringe. It's NOT what the family wants but his father loves him and doesn't press Tom too often to change jobs. But Cecelia (Smith) has every intention of changing him and making him exactly what sort of rich man she demands. Fortunately, Tom has instead fallen for a less conniving and more loving lady, Christie (Sheridan). But when Sheridan rejects Tom, he is easy pickings for Cecelia and they soon marry. However, problems clearly are looming as she's intent on breaking Tom and Tom is determined to be his own man. What's to become of them?
This is a very good film and brings up some great moral quandaries. However, the movie has one problem...Cecelia is just too obviously a horrible person. Had she been a bit more subtle in her machinations, the film would have been even better. Despite this, the acting is excellent, direction quite good and the story quite original and challenging. Well worth seeing.