CRAIG'S WIFE

US, 1936, 74 minutes, Black-and-white.
Rosalind Russell, John Boles, Thomas Mitchell, Elizabeth Risdon, Billie Burke, Jane Darwell, Dorothy Wilson.
Directed by Dorothy Arzner.

Craig's Wife had already been filmed in the silent era and was to be filmed again in 1950 with Joan Crawford in the central role, the title focusing on her character, Harriet Craig.

The screenplay was based on a Pulitzer prize-winning played by George Kelly. Significantly, it was directed by Dorothy Arzner, a pioneer for women directing in Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s.

The film is also a star vehicle for Rosalind Russell who was emerging as a strong screen presence at this time. While she could do light comedy very well, she could also do this kind of huaghty and imperious character. John Boles plays her sympathetic husband who is ultimately disillusioned with her.

The film has a brief running time, has various complications of plot, but is an intriguing look at a cold woman, suspicious of the world and of everyone, something of a sociopath in her inability to relate to people but who ultimately has to come face-to-face with herself.

1. The film based on the Pulitzer Prize play?

2. Dorothy Arzner, singularity as a female director of the 1930s? Her cast?

3. A film of dialogue, adapted from the play? Interiors, the Craig home, the hospital ward, the home of the friend? The musical score?

4. The title, the naming of Craig, but the focus on his wife? People's comment about Craig's wife and her having him on a leash?

5. Introduction to Craig, genial, romantic, his aunt living with him, the agreement with his parents that she should have a home, the maids, their work, the neighbour, Mrs Frazier, her flowers? Talk about Harriet?

6. Seeing Harriet at the hospital, her sister sick, her niece upset, coming from studies, her engagement to the professor?

7. Rosalind Russell is Harriet, strong personality, control? Her explanations to her niece about the marriage, not love in the conventional sense, but making a choice for security? The importance of a home? Bringing her niece back to the city? Not taking account of her sisters illness and her death?

8. Craig, going out to play poker, his friend, upset, his wife going out, the other friend entertaining his father in town, the others not turning up for the poker game? The friend and his agitation? Learning that he had shot his wife and himself?

9. The police investigation, Harriet return, seeing the note with the phone number and curiosity, phoning? The reporting to the police? The visit to her, her lying?

10. Harriet, her home, everything in its place, obsessive? The vase, her husband later smashing it? Her pedantic manner, fuss? The security of having a home, building a home? Her criticism of the maid, her friend coming into work in the kitchen, firing him? The cook, her reaction to Harriet, to her husband, leaving with the aunt?

11. The aunt, inviting Mrs Frazier in, Harriet's criticisms?

12. Walter, a good man, romantic, loving his wife, obeying her? The strong scene of his aunt's criticisms and exposure of Harrie's character? His sitting up all night, smashing the vase, smoking the cigarette butts?

13. The confrontation with Harriet, the cook explaining about the note, the visit of the policeman, Harriet denying any knowledge? Water and his realisation of the truth, the words of his aunt, his leaving?

14. Harriet, left alone, the close-ups of her face and expression and Mrs Frazier coming with the flowers? Her taking them after criticising flowers previously? Mrs Frazier sympathetic, leaving? Harriet alone and the statement about those who are focused on themselves being left with themselves?