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.

My favorite Basil Rathbone Scene.

My favorite Basil Rathbone scene is from, The Mark of Zorro (1940). an adventure film directed by Rouben Mamoulian and produced by Darryl F. Zanuck. Cast: Tyrone Power, Linda Darnell and Basil Rathbone.I'm a huge fan of movies with duel fighting. In this scene the action unfolds into a wonderful duel between to actors who look as if they are really enjoying what they are doing..

The film was Nominated for Academy Award for the Best original score in the 1941 Academy Awards. In 2009, it was named to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant and will be preserved for all time. Based on the Johnston McCulley story The Curse of Capistrano, originally published in 1919, which introduced the masked Zorro, the movie's story is set in Southern California during the early 19th century. It is about the son of a wealthy ranchero, Don Alejandro Vega who returns to California after studying in Spain, only to become angry at the way the people were being mistreated by Governor Quintero. Don Diego decides to become Zorro, a defender of the people. He falls in love with the governor's niece, Lolita and shares with the governor's wife Inez, how wonderful Madrid is hoping to talk her into moving there with her husband. He also has to fight off the governor's henchman, Captain Pasquale.

This film is a remake of the 1920 silent version, The Mark of Zorro, with Douglas Fairbanks. Its largest claim to fame is the climactic duel toward the end between Zorro and Captain Pasquale . Rathbone was known already in Hollywood as an outstanding Classical fencer.

Basil Rathbone

Basil Rathbone, performed in over 70 films, mostly costume dramas, swashbucklers, and horror films. He usually played suave villains or morally ambiguous characters, such as Murdstone in David Copperfield (1935) and Sir Guy of Gisbourne in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938). His most famous role, was that of Sherlock Holmes in fourteen Hollywood films made between 1939 and 1946 and in a radio series. His later career included Broadway and television work; he was awarded a Best Actor Tony Award in 1948. So it is truly a surprise to find him performing in the film: Bathing Beauty (1944). A Musical, with Red Skelton, Basil Rathbone and Esther Williams. At the time of its release, this was MGM's third-highest grossing film, after Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925) and Gone with the Wind (1939).

The story is about a songwriter Steve Elliott, who is getting ready to marry Caroline Brooks, who has promised to give up her job as a college swimming instructor once they are married. Steve also plans to quit his songwriting career, even though producer George Adams(played by Basil Rathbone) has already hired him to write new songs for a water ballet show. When George hears Steve talking about his "retirement", he comes up with a plan to stop the marriage and conspires with Maria Dorango, to help him. During the ceremony Maria rushes in, claiming that Steve is her husband and the father of her three redheaded children. Even though Steve says he is innocence, Caroline returns to Victoria College.

In another Basil Rathbone scene: Steve is visited by George, who promises to blackmail him unless he finishes his songs. When Steve swears revenge on the person who hired Maria, George feeling remorseful offers to help Steve do his homework.

In Basil Rathbone's last scene: Maria is on campus, looking to expose George, who has been trying to get rid of her. George unexpectedly arrives, while Maria makes her presence known to Caroline. Later, Steve promises to write songs for George's water ballet show on condition he make Caroline the star. George agrees, and after Maria is finally able to tell Caroline the truth, Caroline reunites with Steve, who then gives George a piece of her mind.

It seems that Basil might have been a little out of his element in this film, but he stills gives a wonderful performance. I'm a little surprised that TCM added Bathing Beauty, to their line up of Basil Rathbone featured films.