Review of The Life of Vergie Winters

I rarely watch films made before 1932. But between 1933 and 1935, American got much better. The technical quality was often much better, and so were the scripts. You just have to start watching to see if a particular film of that period has reached a level of sophistication. This film not only was sophisticated...beyond its time...but was a significant morality tale fortunately made before the Code came in...otherwise it wouldn't have worked half as well. Unfortunately, I found the soundtrack distracting, and I needed to tune up the volume to hear the diction clearly. Aside from that, I really liked this film. Hey, it had to be good if it was condemned by the Catholic Church! Vergie Winters (Ann Harding) is a milliner, and is quite successful in her community...and well liked. She is in love with John Shadwell, played by John Boles. Unfortunately, for a bribe her father told tales to nix a marriage and Shadwell -- on his way to a national political career -- marries another woman...but remains in love with Vergie. And they have many trysts. The jealous wife bides her time, more interested in her position than love. Winters bears Shadwell a child...out of town, of course, and the baby girl is adopted by Shadwell and his wife. Then on the eve of the girl's wedding (years later), Shadwell's wife lets the story unravel to the adopted daughter. That works out alright. But Shadwell goes to Winters and then...well, I best not go any further, but there are some good twists and turns as the film reaches climax. It's sudsy drama for its time.

Ann Harding is excellent here, as is John Boles. An interesting aspect of the film is that in certain places, a variety of characters are "heard thinking". A good way to advance the plot, and cleverly done.

I give this film kudos and a strong "7". I think you'll like it.