11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Sin Is To Miss This Film, January 17, 2004
This review is from: Sin of Madelon Claudet [VHS] (VHS Tape)
"The Sin of Madelon Claudet" is a true movie classic released in 1931. Every detail of this film is very heartfelt. The plot was written beautifully, adapted from the stage play "The Lulluby". It explores Madelon's life as she faces many tragic events in her life, which she never deserves. From the moment she's wrongfully accused of being knowledgely romantically, associated with a jewel thief, the dramatic theme builds and becomes more heartfelt. Regardless how traumatic every scene is, it never ends. Her many life struggles after being released from prison are brilliantly desplicted. No detail is dull for a single second. The overall plot has many qualities that are used in modern-day films.
Helen Hayes deservingly won her Oscar for Best Actress for her role as Madelon. This marks one of the greatest performances from a debut film actress. She was previously well-known only in Broadway. Her acting remains ahead of its time. She pours every drop of heart and soul through her character to produce a flawless performance. Even her performance as an old woman is convincing. All other actors were also well-known Broadway actors. They wonderfully adjusted to film acting, giving beautiful performances.
This version offers the picture quality that was shown as film strip in 1931. The tiny white dots and the occasional white horizontal lines are how. Keeping this is great. It shows the exact theme depth that the movie producers intended to present it. Changing the visual quality would have ruined this effect.
The conclusion keeps the audience thinking after watching it rather than revealing it bluntly. Most other scenes are the same, which is great. That is only one of many reasons why "The Sin of Madelon Claudet" is now a classic. It's sure to please many audiences.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A MOTHER'S BOUNDLESS LOVE..., April 7, 2002
This review is from: Sin of Madelon Claudet [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Those who love vintage films will surely enjoy this one. Based upon Edward Knoblock's play, "The Lullaby", it features the magnificent Broadway star, Helen Hayes, in her film debut, playing the role of naive, French country girl, Madelon Claudet. It was a most auspicious debut, as it earned Ms. Hayes the 1932 Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance.
The story is an age old one. Madelon Claudet leaves home and runs off to Paris with her American lover, Larry (Neil Hamilton). After he abruptly returns to America, Madelon discovers that she is pregnant. Abandoned by her lover, she gives birth to a baby boy whom she names Larry. Desperate to provide a life for her baby, she becomes the mistress of a charming, apparently wealthy man, Carlo Boretti (Lewis Stone), with whom she falls in love. Meanwhile, her baby is being taken care of by her friend, Rosalie (Marie Prevost).
Unfortunately, a stunning turn of events reveals that Boretti is a jewel thief and due to her association with him, she ends up going to prison. Upon her release from prison, she makes up her mind to do everything she can to give her boy a chance in life. With the help of a Dr. Dulac (Jean Hersholt), one of the directors at the charity school where her boy, Larry, now lives, she arranges to send money so that he can someday go to medical school.
She provides for her boy the only way she knows how, as a prostitute and thief. She has only one goal in mind, to give her boy the opportunity to be all he can be. The viewer sees the toll that this hard street life takes upon Madelon, as she ages from a softly rounded, young beauty to an old, withered woman at the end. It is Ms. Hayes' artistry and not just makeup that succeeds in transforming Ms. Hayes into a frail, beaten down, wizened crone.
The scenes where she meets her boy at the age of ten (Frankie Darro) and as a grown, accomplished Doctor (Robert Young) is sure to touch the heart of even the most hard hearted of viewers, so deftly played and poignant are the scenes. It brings to mind films like "Stella Dallas" and "Madame X", as the film is ultimately about the depths of a mother's love and the sacrifices that some mothers are willing to make for their young.
Beautifully directed by Edgar Selwyn and deeply moving, with a notable performance by Lewis Stone as the dapper and debonair Carlo Boretti, this is a film to be enjoyed as much today, as when it was first released. While some of it may seem dated, it is still a gem that is meant to be treaured.
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