Customer Reviews

Last of Mrs Cheyney [VHS]

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"The Last of Mrs. Cheyney", in my opinion epitomises everything that MGM represented at it's peak in the late 1930's. Based on the famous and often revived stageplay by Frederick Lonsdale, we have here the perfect star vehicle for a highly sophisticated Joan Crawford at the peak of her artistic and glamourous film stardom where we find her yet again moving in levels of society above where she originated from. In this film Joan Crawford's legendary "shop girl", characterisations really came of age in a delightful confection dealing with "street smart" jewel thieves in high society who realise they are not as smart or indeed as street wise as those high society "dupes" they are prepared to fleece. The "MGM", look is rounded out by leading men William Powell (in his only appearance with Joan Crawford), and Robert Montgomery and with a beautiful class "A", production with careful attention to detail expended in every department. Indeed "The Last of Mrs. Cheyney", despite it's strange lack of success at the boxoffice in 1937, provided Joan Crawford with a refreshing change of pace which she handles very well indeed and illustrates the development in her acting abilities since her famous efforts of the early 1930's such as "Grand Hotel", and "Sadie McKee".

The famous play which this film was based on has seen many revivals including an earlier 1929 film version starring Norma Shearer and Basil Rathbone. That version was very successful however in terms of top production values this 1937 version is far superior. Joan Crawford plays Fay Cheyney, an American woman who travels easily in British high society. She possesses all the manufactured refinement, poise and conversation skills to win over the jaded aristocrats and "old money" crowd who when she has won their trust, proceeds to relieve of their ancestral jewels. In her schemes she is aided by her "butler" Charles (William Powell) and a ring of no good types intent upon making themselves rich via Fay's ability to win the trust of England's titled gentry. Setting up residence in London Fay catches the eye of young Lord Arthur Dilling (Montgomery) and elderly Lord Francis Kelton (Frank Morgan)both of whom will be at a lavish weekend party at the country residence of the Duchess of Ebley(a superb Jessie Ralph), who happens to have a valuable jewelry collection. Seeing this as the possible heist of the century Fay manages to be invited for the weekend by charming the Duchess. Fay considers herself above the titled group around her and touchingly sees herself as "a respectable adventuress rather than a criminial"! Carrying off a beautiful and rare pearl necklace however Fay is caught in the act by Lord Arthur who has his own terms and conditions about whether to turn her into the police. Just as Fay is about to abandon her "calling in life" and go away quietly with Charles who also loves her and is very protective of her welfare, highly embarrassing love letters written to Fay by an ardent Lord Kelton are revealed which turns the tables on the priviledged group assembled at the house by painting them in a very unflattering light and showing them to be no better or trustworthy than the jewel thieves currently in their midst. With this solid gold evidence in their hands Fay and Charles threaten to reveal all to the police and the courts upon which to save face a very hasty solution is found to "everyone's" satisfaction", that also sees Fay happily settled afterall with Lord Dilling in a respectable life as Lady Dilling that will definately see "the last of Mrs. Cheyney".

Despite Joan Crawford's shaking standing in Box Office terms in 1937 this film was an all out effort by MGM to provide her with just the right property to hopefully restore her standing in Hollywood. Joan had to wait for 2 more years and the role of Crystal in "The Women", for that to happen but "The Last of Mrs. Cheyney", is a respectable film sadly not well enough known today. It boasts all the expected MGM polish as became an "A" class production at this time. It combines superb art direction and settings courtesy of the celebrated Cedric Gibbons, wonderful costumes in particular for Joan by the legendary Adrian who was always expert at creating clothes for high society settings of whatever age. The supporting players alone could have earned MGM the title of having more stars than there are in heaven in particular Jessie Ralph as the no nonsense Duchess who takes a shine to Fay, Nigel Bruce as befuddled Lord Winton, and Benita Hume, Ralph Forbes and Aileen Pringle lending their always excellent support to the proceedings. The film was marked by tragedy and potential crisis during production when veteran director Richard Boleslawski suddenly died before the film was completed. Although he received sole billing as director of "The Last of Mrs. Cheyney", in actual fact the chore of completing the film was handed to famous female director Dorothy Arzner who took over the direction for the last few weeks of production. She would team again with Joan Crawford in both women's next film "The Bride Wore Red".

As a typical product of late 30's sophistication "The Last of Mrs. Cheyney", makes wonderful entertainment revealing a world removed from day to day reality with no thoughts of war or depression evident. Joan Crawford and William Powell might not be the most memorable screen team in MGM's history however their work together is polished and offers an interesting variation on Powell's work in particular with more regular co stars like Myrna Loy. Enjoy Joan Crawford as a female "Raffles" finding love in high society in the glossy "The Last of Mrs. Cheyney".

Even though Joan plays a cat-burglar (who is after jewles, but most of all a place in this world that has otherwise thrown her way) there is still something very endearing about her character, Mrs. Fay Cheyney. "The Last of Mrs. Cheyney" is funny, dramatic and includes a great cast of supporting stars, including everyone's favorite wizard, Frank Morgan as Lord Arthur Dilling. The movie moves around in many different directions while taking a lot of poetic license (stay with it because it picks up a lot of momentum during the last third), but essentially, like many of Joan's classic MGM pictures, it turns out to be a love story. I enjoy this movie very much and recommend it to anyone who enjoys classic pictures of the '30s. For me, this film will always be a reminder that redemption comes in many different forms. Like all of Joan's classic pictures, "The Last of Mrs. Cheyney" is immaculate! After all, the reigning queen of the cinema wouldn't have it any other way.

This movie actually contains a superior Joan Crawford performance. A beautiful example of a "class picture" from the M-G-M of 1937, this movie - surprisingly - wasn't quite successful enough on its own to pull Crawford out of the "box-office poison" category which plagued her in the late thirties. The movie is based on the Frederick Lonsdale evergreen, which was filmed previously in 1929 with Norma Shearer; the critics mostly agreed that this version was a definite improvement. Crawford got special praise for her smooth comedy playing (although she and Bill Powell had an odd chemistry) and the supporting cast was generally excellent. The Leon Gordon-Monkton Hoffe-Samuel Raphaelson script for producer Lawrence Weingarten made few alterations to the play about jewel theives in high society.... Director Richard Boleslawski, died suddenly while the film was still in production.

Character superstar Jessie Ralph steals the show in this otherwise stilted film version of a theatrical hit. So many of the great early 20th Century plays, translated into films (mostly by MGM!) stand up even today but unfortunately this isn't one of them... Perhaps it's the iconic Joan Crawford's presence...she's at the height of her haute-phoniness in this one, although she LOOKS spectacular.

William Powell must have been fulfilling contractual obligations for appearing in this one...he's completely wasted.

This film belongs to the character actors who comprise its supporting cast...notably the aforementioned Ralph and Nigel Bruce & Frank Morgan.

Worth seeing as a time capsule of legendary silver screen personalities...otherwise forgettable.