The Last of Mrs. Cheyney

Director: Richard Boleslawski, Dorothy Arzner, George Fitzmaurice

Overview

Based on a popular drawing-room drama by Frederick Lonsdale, The Last of Mrs. Cheyney stars Joan Crawford as a jewel thief who poses as an aristocrat. It is Crawford's intention to pilfer a valuable pearl necklace while attending a society party in the company of partner-in-crime William Powell. Here she attracts the attention of Robert Montgomery, a young nobleman who is amused by Crawford's wittiness in the face of the haughty bitchery of Benita Hume. When Montgomery turns out to be a bounder and Powell and Crawford are revealed to be criminals, Crawford does some quick thinking that not only gets her off the hook but puts the two-faced Montgomery in his place as well. Previously filmed in 1929 with Norma Shearer in the lead, The Last of Mrs. Cheyney would itself be remade in 1951 as The Law and the Lady, with Greer Garson as the heroine.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/03/2014
UPC:	0883316925782
Original Release:	1937
Source:	Warner Brothers
Presentation:	[Full Frame]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:38:00
Sales rank:	30,194

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Joan Crawford	Mrs. Fay Cheyney
William Powell	Charles,Charles
Nigel Bruce	Sir William,Lord Willie Winton
Robert Montgomery	Lord Arthur Dilling
Frank Morgan	Lord Francis Kelton
Jessie Ralph	Duchess,The Duchess of Ebley
Benita Hume	Kitty,Lady Kitty Winton
Melville Cooper	William,William
Colleen Clare	Joan,Joan
Leonard Carey	Ames,Ames
Ralph Forbes	Cousin John Clayborn
Aileen Pringle	Lady Maria Frinton,Marie
Sara Haden	Anna
Wallis Clark	George,George
Robert Cory	Deck Steward,Deck Steward
Sara Hayden	Anna
Lumsden Hare	Inspector Witherspoon
Vesey O'Davoren	Steward,Ship Steward
Wilson Benge	Butler,Butler
Barnett Parker	Purser,Purser
Thomas Braidon	Head Steward,Head Steward
Bess Flowers	Guest at Auction
Frank McClure	Man at Auction
Bert Moorehouse	Man at Auction
Manuel París	Ship Passenger
Ellinor Vanderveer	Woman at Dance
William Worthington	Ship Passenger
William Axt	Composer

Technical Credits

Monckton Hoffe

Samson Raphaelson

Leon Gordon

Richard Boleslawski	Director,Director
George Fitzmaurice	Director,Director
Lawrence Weingarten	Producer,Producer
Dorothy Arzner	Director
Monckton Hoffe	Screenwriter
Samson Raphaelson	Screenwriter
Leon Gordon	Screenwriter
Irving Thalberg	Producer

Editorial Reviews

The Last of Mrs. Cheyney is uneven and suffers from miscasting in the lead role, but on the whole it's an enjoyable caper comedy. Somewhat bowdlerized from its original Frederick Lonsdale source (and in comparison with Norma Shearer's pre-Code version), Mrs. Cheyney's variability may partially have resulted from the death of original director Richard Boleslawsky midway through filming. A film such as this, which depends upon a light but consistent touch, can't help but be harmed when it is guided by three separate hands. Joan Crawford is also not ideal casting, never quite convincing as a thief who easily passes for high society and is too stiff in a part that demands a high degree of flexibility. However, Crawford does handle certain scenes quite well, and she's more at ease with much of the comedy than might have been expected. Of course, expert farceur William Powell is more than at ease; he's in command, and his work is customarily top-notch, as is that of the deliciously befuddled Frank Morgan. Robert Montgomery is also good, though the unsympathetic nature of his character does not allow the actor to use his special charm. Despite its flaws, Mrs. Cheyney is satisfying, undemanding entertainment.