“Wives Under Suspicion”

Northern Advocate, 18 March 1939, Page 3 (Supplement)

“Wives Under Suspicion”

, Tearing at the heart strings as it unveils the poignant emotions released when jealousy first drives a man mad, then causes him to kill the being he loves best, Universal’s powerful romantic drama, “Wives Under Suspicion” is due for early release in Whangarei.

Directed by James Whale, one of the masters of cinema production, this pic-

ture carries breathless suspense in nearly every scene. It tells the story of a district attorney played by Warren William who is determined to obtain convictions at any price. Although he does not realise it, he is rapidly becoming dehumanised, to the extent that the wife he worships portrayed by Gail Patrick is finally forced to regard him as an unfeeling legal monster.

Unwilling to accept the plea of Ralph Morgan as a gentle visionary, that he was incapable of rational judgment Waen he found his wife in the arms of another, and hence killed her in a fit of insensate rage, the district attorney drives on for a first degree murder verdict.

Near the conclusion of the trial he has a fearful awakening. His wife innocently sets in motion a train of circumstances that exactly parallels events that led up to the murder case he is trying. It is only when the district attorney, his mind an inferno of jealousy, finds himself about to slay his wife, that his soul regeneration takes place. In addition to the spectacular and striking performance given by Gail Patrick and Warren William, there are other outstanding performances by the supporting cast. Notable among these is the work of Ralph Morgan as “Shaw Mac Allen”; the additional “heart interest” furnished by beautiful little Constance Moore and handsome young William Lundigan; the sardonic humour introduced by Cecil Cunningham and the powerful presentations of Samuel S. Hinds and Milburn Stone.

Universal would like to re-make “Over the Hill” if they can get the story rights from Twentieth CenturyFox and actress Minnie Dupree from Selznick. The story of the aged mother threatened with the workhouse, was made as a silent with Mary Carr, and .as a talkie in 1932 with Mae Marsh.