The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1934) - Sidney Franklin

MGM production chief Irving Thalberg seemed to love his wife. Throughout the decade he kept throwing her in films more and more melodramatic. This production is another pull out all the stops pictures. Charles Laughton is nearly cartoonish in his super villian oppresive near incestuous father, not leaving much room for a well developed character. In fact none of the characters really seem to be developed, instead they're all playing a type. Shearer as the sick poet turned love object, she doesn't seem to develop much. Sure the performance was enough to impress 1934 audiences to give her yet another Oscar nomination. Truly a family affair as usual, Norma's brother Douglas was the sound recordist. Frederic March once again is underutilized in an MGM production, with his character clearly supporting, and barely given any reign to convey emotions, other than silly infatuation. These are the type of films that make me sick to my stomach, stuffy, melodramatic horse @#%$ that seemed to cranked out by the dozen. I'm starting to develop a contempt for everying emanating from MGM during this time period. Thank god the Academy wasn't as impressed with this, and rightfully rewarded Frank Capra's infinitely superior It Happened One Night.

*The Barretts of Wimpole Street was nominated for best picture and best actress (Shearer).