THE IMPERFECT LADY
US, 1947, 97 minutes, Black-and-white.
Ray Milland, Teresa Wright, Cedric Hardwick, Virginia Field, Anthony Quinn, Reginald Owen, Melville Cooper, Rhys Williams, George Zucco, Miles Mander.
Directed by Lewis Allen.
A little-known star vehicle for Ray Milland and Teresa Wright, the year before they made The Trouble with Women. She had won an Oscar in 1942 for Mrs Miniver. He had won an Oscar in 1945 for The Lost Weekend. This film has a strong supporting cast, led by a stern Cedric Hardwicke, and a far less stern showgirl, Virginia Field. Reginald Owen is Teresa Wright’s shopkeeper father, critical of his daughter in the theatre. Melville Cooper is a political dandy, Rhys Williams a detective, George Zucco a prosecuting lawyer.
However, there is a rather different performance from Anthony Quinn as a Spanish musician who becomes involved in a murder case compromising Teresa Wright, leading to a dramatic court case.
The setting is 1892, London, the theatre, class distinctions, politics. It is the period of Oscar Wilde – and this story is not unlike aspects of his The Ideal Husband.
Ray Milland is at home in this kind of role, the progressive politician, in love with a commoner, advised against the marriage by his severe brother, caught up in her being compromised in the murder case. The screenplay takes stances in favour of liberal changes in British politics, the Irish question, rights for workers and even introduces suffragette issues.
Entertaining in its way.
1. Period drama, romance, melodrama? London, England in 1892, the status of society, class distinctions, the theatre and its reputation, politics, courts and justice?
2. The re-creation of the period, costumes and decor, the theatre, restaurants and tearooms, political campaigning, homes and shops, the courts? The musical score?
3. The title, the focus on Millicent, the good young woman, compromised, love for her husband and her moral decisions?
4. The world of the theatre, rehearsals, Rose and Millicent and their friendship, touring the country towns, poor and hungry, Millicent and the estrangement from her father, going to his shop, hoping for a meal, the clash and the lecture? Millicent later returning to him? And his later mellowing?
5. The political campaigns, Clive and his first campaign, his speeches, the workers ridiculing him because of his status, throwing things at him? His advisers? The encounter with Rose and Millicent, the initial attraction? Going to tea, his being called away, the women paying the bill? Millicent going to hear him again, the warning about the train, her missing it, the fascination with Clive, giving up the theatre, her father?
6. Rose, the return to the theatre, the men accosting them, the police not believing them, the chase, Jose Martinez and his charm, inviting Millicent, their discussions, the Chopin and his performance? Her staying the night? His being accused of the murder of the landlord? The testimony against him? The detective, the search for the actresses, the visit to Clive and Millicent, her denial?
7. Clive and his brother, his warnings to Millicent, her disappearance, Clive finding her? The wedding, the honeymoon in Paris? The party and her charming the guests, meeting Gladstone?
8. Martinez, in jail, desperate, his tracking down Rose and her saying she did not know him?
9. Lord Belmont, going to the Court, listening to the testimony, superstitions, 17, the Chopin music, Martinez’ testimony? At home, his cross-examining Millicent? Her being upset, her leaving the house, taking refuge with Rose, Rose turning Clive away? The issue of Millicent’s conscience?
10. The court case, the accusations against Martinez, the witness, the testimony and the timing? The finding him guilty? Millicent coming to the court, the demands, the testimony? Clive present? Martinez and his gratitude?
11. Millicent returning home, the quiet of the town, reconciled with her father? Clive, the Parliamentary comments about him, wanting him to be expelled from the party, losing his seat? His previous declarations of Millicent being the most important thing for him, seeking out, the reconciliation – the future?
