Product Details

• Actors: Joan Crawford, Margaret Sullavan, Robert Young, Melvyn Douglas, Fay Bainter
• Directors: Frank Borzage
• Writers: Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Jane Murfin, Keith Winter, Ogden Nash
• Producers: Frank Borzage, Joseph L. Mankiewicz
• Format: Black & White, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Warner)
• VHS Release Date: September 1, 1998
• Run Time: 76 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302413494
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #267,214 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars MARGARET SULLAVAN STEALS THE SHOW FROM JOAN CRAWFORD..., December 16, 2001

By 

Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Shining Hour [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is another compelling melodrama in which Joan Crawford stars as popular nightclub dancer. Tired of the tawdry world of the demi-monde, she agrees to marry a rich man (Melvyn Douglas) from Wisconsin and live a quiet and simple life on his Wisconsin farm. Unfortunately for her, his jealous and domineering sister (Fay Bainter) lives there, as does their brother (Robert Young) and his wife (Margaret Sullavan).

The brother, who had initially disapproved of the match, finds himself falling for Joan, while his wife looks helplessly on. The sister is viscious towards Joan, and Joan and her husband build their own home in hopes of riding out his sister's hatred of Joan. Alas, this is not to be, as the sister's hatred takes a dramatic turn, which brings all the parties to a crossroad in each of their lives.

Margaret Sullavan gives an achingly poignant performance as the wife who loves a husband who does not return that love. The nuances of her performance steal the show away from Joan Crawford, who also gives a strong performance but does not reach the heights that Margaret Sullavan does with hers. Melvyn Douglas and Robert Young are excellent as the brothers, who are in love with the same woman. Fay Bainter is terrific as the hateful and jealous sister, whose hatred would culminate in tragedy.

Though some of the film is somewhat preposterous, it is entertaining, nonetheless. Fans of Joan Crawford and Margaret Sullavan will enjoy it, as will all those who love classic films.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fine Crawford and Sullavan chemistry in interesting drama, December 18, 2002

By 

Simon Davis (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shining Hour [VHS] (VHS Tape)

"The Shining Hour" displays the interesting meshing of two fine talents in talented actresses Joan Crawford and the magical Margaret Sullavan. Having seen very few of Sullavan's films I was amazed by her confident playing and husky appealing voice. Together these two really create an interesting pair of characters that look believable interacting with each other so natural is their rapport with each other.

"The Shining Hour" was a mildly successful Broadway play that Joan Crawford developed an interest in and got MGM to buy the option on as her next film in early 1938. She was experiencing a box office slump at the time despite having a success with Spencer Tracy in "Mannequin" and was eager to start exploring film properties that might offer her more of a challenge. While it has a similiar theme to alot of Joan's earlier work where she climbs the social ladder and is torn between the love of two men, here she is provided with fine performers and some literate dialogue that make "The Shining Hour" a memorable viewing experience. Despite being dismissed by some critics as more of a personality than an actress here Crawford delivers an honest and naturally presented performance that contrasts so well with Sullavan's very different delivery. The two became good friends during the production of "The Shining Hour" and it clearly shows in their on screen friendship as well.

The film relates the story of Olivia Riley a night club performer from a humble background who marries wealthy gentleman farmer Henry Linden and returns with him to the family property in Wisconsin. Olivia gets more than she bargained for when she meets the rest of the family as she is left to deal with the jealous and bitchy reception by Henry's sister Hannah who resents her presence in the house and the hate turned to love directed at her by David, Henry's brother. She does find an automatic friend and ally in David's wife Judy but complications set in when she finds herself falling in love with David despite knowing that those feelings are wrong and will destroy Judy's life completely.It takes a near tragedy at the farm to finally bring Olivia and David to their senses and to realise that what they already have with their respective spouses is too precious to throw away.

Out of such a romantic story comes some very fine acting indeed. I believe Joan Crawford shows a real maturity in her acting style in this film. She makes the character of Olivia a well rounded one and some of her best scenes are when she is showing the dilemma that she has found herself in over her feelings for Henry and David. Margaret Sullavan is superb as the frail and tender Judy who is prepared to sacrifice her own life for the sake of her husband. The film boasts strong performances from all the leads, a standout being the terrific Fay Bainter as Hannah Linden the nasty spinster sister of Melvyn Douglas and Robert Young. Her cold manner and nasty cuts at Olivia create a real feeling of tension which give "The Shining Hour" its dramatic edge. Melyvn Douglas and Robert Young as Henry and David Linden really are overshadowed by the three female leads but do good work and Robert Young in particular is very effective as the brother torn between his sweet wife and his sister in law. Rounding out the cast in one of the main supporting roles is the always wonderful Hattie McDaniel as Belvedere, Joan Crawford's personal maid. She has some great lines and the last scene of the film which ends on a very comical note is really hers which she handles in her usual capable and highly comic manner.

If you are a Joan Crawford or Margaret Sullavan fan you are guaranteed to enjoy "The Shining Hour". The film has the polished look typical of MGM productions of that period but really this film is more than just a prettily packaged romance story. It delivers an interesting story and some great acting by all the leads along the way.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Crawford is stuck in a love triangle again..., December 8, 1999

By 

Thomas Lathinghouse (DeFuniak Springs, FL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Shining Hour [VHS] (VHS Tape)

When the very lovely, talented dancer portrayed by Joan Crawford marries a wealthy farmer and moves to the family home where the entire family lives (ala Dallas) the fireworks begin when the husband's sister is consumed with jealousy and the younger brother falls in love with the vibrant Joan Crawford (I understand perfectly). The fireworks at the end make it well worth the watch. Joan does an marvelous job and looks great, too.