The anti-war sentiments of writer Claude Rains leads him to a desperate act in the climax of this well acted but often slow moving psychological drama set in France during the first world war. Married to the beautiful but somewhat materialistic Joan Bennett, he unintentionally neglects her to the point where she begins seeing his employer (Lionel Atwill at his most lecherous and ruthless) out of need for companionship. Rains is unaware that Atwill is also claiming his writing as his own, using it for his own secret political ambitions, and as France gets deeply involved in the war, Rains finds himself conflicted. A confrontation with Atwill results in Rains being sent off to the front lines where rumors of Atwill's actions reach him at his most vulnerable.
This artistic drama has all the mystery and atmosphere of one of Universal's classic horror films, even though it does not fall under that category in spite of the strange title. You're not seeing things in the credits with a child actress named Baby Jane, playing the role of Rains and Bennett's daughter. She's just a minor distraction in the film, not really making much of an impression. Rains gives a truly commanding performance, with Bennett lovely but not yet established past basically bland heroine parts. Edward Ludwig, in the director's chair, seems to be trying to emulate James Whale. The superb opening and thrilling conclusion almost seem like they're from a different film when compared to the middle section.
This artistic drama has all the mystery and atmosphere of one of Universal's classic horror films, even though it does not fall under that category in spite of the strange title. You're not seeing things in the credits with a child actress named Baby Jane, playing the role of Rains and Bennett's daughter. She's just a minor distraction in the film, not really making much of an impression. Rains gives a truly commanding performance, with Bennett lovely but not yet established past basically bland heroine parts. Edward Ludwig, in the director's chair, seems to be trying to emulate James Whale. The superb opening and thrilling conclusion almost seem like they're from a different film when compared to the middle section.