The Shining Hour

The script is fascinating as a theatre piece but the deeper psychology of it is not successfully translated to the screen (it comes off as clunky more than anything). But Joan Crawford is gorgeous to watch and her scenes with Margaret Sullavan are especially fabulous. Fay Bainter's hysteric portrayal is entertaining, if not convincingly motivated. Robert Young and Melvyn Douglas are dull and predictable. Hattie McDaniel is, of course, the maid — and does what she can under the circumstances.

This is a well paced melodrama for fans of old studio movies. The story is well written and still has relevance today to those interested in the complexities of human emotions, especially jealousy. The production values are top draw. The houses are beautiful, the clothes are beautiful. It's why MGM was known as the dream factory. You want to live in this world. The performances are also very good. All of the actors appear to be quite natural in their delivery of the lines. An added bonus, Hattie MacDaniel has a supporting role though she is not credited in the iTunes cast.