The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1929).

The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1929). Comedy, directed by Sidney Franklin. The screenplay by Hanns Kräly is based on the 1925 play of the same name by Frederick Lonsdale. The film was remade twice, with the same title in 1937 and as The Law and the Lady in 1951. Cast: Norma Shearer, Basil Rathbone and Hedda Hopper.

The story begins as part of a jewel theft ring, Mrs. Fay Cheyney, pretends to be a wealthy Australian widow at a Monte Carlo hotel to get close to Mrs. Webley and her pearl necklace. Mrs. Cheyney, decides the best time to take the necklace during a party at the Webleys'. Dilling, finds her with it and threatens to expose her. Mrs. Cheyney, calls all the guests to her room and confesses. The guests want to call in the police until Lord Elton, who is in love with Mrs. Cheyney, remembers a love letter he wrote her which could put them in a awkward position. Now... what will become of Mrs. Cheyney?

Shearer is her usual charming self and there are some clever twists and turns in this wonderful little film.

Hedda Hopper (May 2, 1885 – February 1, 1966).Hopper began acting in silent movies in 1915. Her motion picture debut was in, Battle of Hearts (1916). She performed in more than 120 movies over twenty-three years, usually portraying society women. As her movie career began to fade she was offered a career doing something she loved: gossip.

Her gossip column called "Hedda Hopper's Hollywood" debuted in the Los Angeles Times on February 14, 1938. She maintained a on going feud with Louella Parsons, competing fiercely, for the title "Queen of Hollywood".

She was well known for her flamboyant hats. Her hats were so famous that, in the movie, Breakfast in Hollywood (1946), Del Porter, backed by Spike Jones and his City Slickers, sang a  song, "A Hat for Hedda Hopper" while Hopper was sitting in the audience.

She was known for getting a "scoop" before almost anyone else most of the time. Fictional columnist J.J. Hunsecker, played by Burt Lancaster in the film, Sweet Smell of Success, is said to have been inspired in part by Hedda Hopper.

Norma Shearer

Norma Shearer, was one of the most popular actresses in the world from the mid-1920s until her retirement in 1942. Her early films cast her as the girl-next-door but after her 1930 film The Divorcee, she played sexually liberated women in sophisticated contemporary comedies and dramas, as well as several historical and period films.

Another favorite film is, Lady of the Night(1925). Silent film. Director: Monta Bell. Is the story of two baby girls, born to two different worlds, Molly Helmer, the daughter of a thief, and Florence Banning the daughter of the judge who would send Molly's father to prison. The girls' lives come together at eighteen as Florence leaves the all Girls School and Molly, now orphaned, just out of reform school. Norma Shearer plays both young women. Molly's world consists of nights at Kelly's Dance Hall. Where she helps David to find an honest buyer for his new safe-cracking invention. David meets with a group of investors, including Judge Banning, father of Florence. While at the Judges' home, David meets Florence and is instantly taken with her. Both women are in love with David. Florence thinking the other has a stronger claim and Molly believing she is not good enough.

I just finished watching Norma Shearer's wonderful performance in this film. The characters of Molly and Florence really do seem like two different women. The lighting is done in an interesting way, Norma as Florence is filmed in a more subtle lighting and Norma as Molly, is lit to make her look more sharp. The film looked gorgeous, in a brightly tint of orange, pink, and blue shades.



Norma Shearer, was meticulous about her appearance. Early in her career, she spent money she could barely afford on the services on an eye doctor, who trained her to strengthen a weak eye. She swam everyday, had massages to firm her figure, and dieted religiously. She experimented with make-up until she decided on a light tone that would illuminate her face on screen. If you would like to learn more about Norma Shearer and her movies, please click on the tag line at the bottom of the post.

Happy Birthday Norma Shearer

Happy Birthday to legendary actress Norma Shearer (1902-1983). The actress started in silent films and made the transition to sound films with the greatest of ease. Her list of films includes The Divorcee (1930), A Free Soul (1931), Private Lives (1931), Riptide (1934), Marie Antoinette (1938), Idiot's Delight (1939) and The Women (1939) which is my favorite Norma film.

Good Morning from Norma Shearer

Here is a lovely pic with the lovely Norma Shearer

Robert Montgomery and Norma Shear.

Robert Montgomery, was most often paired with glamorous Norma Shearer. They co-starred in five films between 1929 and 1934; their best teaming were "The Divorcee" (1930) and "Private Lives" (1931).

Robert Montgomery and Norma Shear list of films:



1.Their Own Desire(1929).
A young woman is heartbroken that her father is divorcing her mother in to marry another woman. Her own feelings change, however, when she falls in love with a young man who turns out to be the son of her father's other woman.





2.The Divorcee (1930).
Chester Morris plays a roving husband who has a affair with another woman—and tells his wife it does not mean "a thing". When his wife, Norma Shearer, sets out to having her own affair with his best friend, the husband suddenly discovers that it might actually mean something after all.





3.Strangers May Kiss (1930).
Lisbeth, thinks that marriage is old fashioned. She has two men in her life; Steve, who wants to marry her and Alan, who wants her to travel with him. Even though her friends and family do not think it is a good idea. Lisbeth travels to Mexico with Alan where she is happy until she learns that he has a wife in Paris and that he is leaving for his next job without her. Heartbroken, she spends a few years in Europe being the life of the party. While her reputation is well known, her lifestyle has not made her happy.


4.Private Lives (1931).
Elyot Chase and Amanda Prynne, divorced and are not happy to learn they are both honeymooning with their new spouses at the same hotel on the French Riviera.








5.Rip Tide (1932).
Is about the life in high society. Mary who accidentally meets Lord Phillip Rexford at a party Mary marries him and settles into a comfortable life, only to find herself torn between her martial obligations as Lady of the manor and the more exciting life with playboy, Tommie Trent. What results is scandal.

Private Lives (1931)

Private Lives (1931). Comedy. Director: Sidney Franklin. The screenplay by Hanns Kraly and Richard Schayer is based on the 1930 play of the same title by Noel Coward. Cast: Norma Shearer, Robert Montgomery, Reginald Denny and Una Merkel.


Elyot Chase and Amanda Prynne, divorced are upset to learn they both are on a honeymoon with their new spouses at the same hotel on the French Riviera.Elyot becomes annoyed with Sybil's questions about Amanda, while Amanda wishes her new husband Victor would stop talking about Elyot. When Elyot run into Amanda on the terrace, he insists he and Sybil immediately depart for Paris, the same plan Amanda proposes to Victor.

Elyot and Amanda rekindle their relationship with a kiss and make a promise to each other to put an end to any future arguments. The two flee to St. Moritz, but before long they begin a argument that turns into a major fight about a record, which Amanda breaks over Elyot's head. Rushing out, Amanda meets Victor and Sybil, who have tracked them down. The two couples meet for breakfast the next day, but when Victor and Sybil begin to fight, What do Elyot and Amanda do?


I thought the performance that really made this film work was Norma Shearer. One of the few silent stars to make a full transition to sound. PRIVATE LIVES, maybe my favorite, Norma Shearer film.

NORMA SHEARER

Norma Shearer is best known as the first American film actress to make it chic and acceptable to be single and not a virgin on screen. In March 2008, two of her most famous pre-code films, The Divorcee and A Free Sole.

In 1920 her mother took Norma and her sister to New York to addtion for Ziegfeld. They worked as extras in several movies. Irving Thalberg had seen her when he joined Louis B. Mayer and gave her a five year contract. Although, he wanted her retire after their marriage.

Her first talkie was in The Trial of Mary Dugan(1929), four movies later, she won an Oscar in The Divorcee (1930). She cut down film exposure during the 1930s, relying on roles in Thalberg's projects: The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1934) and Romeo and Juliet (1936) (her fifth Oscar nomination). Thalberg died of a heart attack at age 37. Norma wanted to retire, but MGM forced her into a six-picture contract. David O. Selznick offered her the part of Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind (1939), but because of her cross-eyed stare she did not get the part. She performed in The Women (1939), turned down the role in Mrs. Miniver (1942), and retired in 1942. Later, she was offered the role of Norma Desmond in Sunset Blvd. (1950), but she turned it down. Gloria Swanson, who went on to receive a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her performance, was cast instead.

THE DIVORCEE (1930)- Pre-Code.

The Divorcee (1930) Drama. Based on the novel Ex-Wife by Ursula Parrott. Director: Robert Z. Leonard. Cast: Chester Morris, Norma Shearer, Robert Montgomery, Conrad Nagel, and Florence Eldridge. Other movies with the same title were released in 1917, 1919 and 1969.

Shearer was not first choice for the lead role in The Divorcee, because it was believed that she didn't have enough sex appeal. It was only after Shearer arranged a photo session with George Hurrell and her husband saw the result, that he gave her the role. The original choice was Joan Crawford, who never forgave Shearer for winning the role.

Norma Shearer's character is very strong willed and is the one to propose marriage to her boyfriend at the beginning of the film. On their third wedding anniversary, Jerry learns that Ted has been having an affair with another woman. Brokenhearted, she turns to Don, her husband's best friend, for comfort. Ted refuses to accept her affairs with other men, so they divorce. After several affairs, Jerry meets Paul and goes on vacation with him on his yacht. When she realizes she does not love him, she returns to Paris, on New Year's Eve. Will she find Ted?

I really enjoyed watching The Divorcee which takes a look at the double standard. So far This is one of my personal favorite films of the Pre-Code Era because it's exactly the kind of film that the Code was against.