Review of Once a Lady

Once a Lady (1931)
3/10
Chatterton gives fine characterization in poor early talkie
3 July 2016
Combining the plots of MADAME X and EAST LYNNE, with a touch of the far later TO EACH HIS OWN, this very turgid early talkie is ultra-melodramatic with poor acting all round, with of course the exception of Chatterton, who bites into her character - a Russian emigree, the toast of Paris, who marries, inadvisably, into a stuffy British family, from which she rebels. Later she is able to give her grown daughter guidance, with the latter not knowing the woman is her mother.

Ivor Novello is seen in 7 scenes as a former friend, who rescues her from her marriage, only to lose her again: restaurant, garden party, tete a tete at party, lunch, train, departure from train, Paris apartment. He is as always in his six talkies, stiff and unable to act for the camera. His success in silents was undisputed, but luckily, his failure in talkies did not stop his career. He went on to write 8 musicals for London society, as composer and librettist and win the hearts of Britains in this capacity.

Ultimately, for Chatterton fans only.
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