Craig's Wife (1936 film)
1936 film by Dorothy Arzner
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Craig's Wife is a 1936 American drama film starring Rosalind Russell as a domineering wife.[1] It was based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning 1925 Broadway play of the same name by George Kelly (the uncle of Grace Kelly),[2] and directed by Dorothy Arzner. Former MGM star William Haines was the film's production designer. Previously filmed in 1928, Craig's Wife was remade in 1950 as Harriet Craig, rewritten (and updated) as a vehicle for Joan Crawford and co-starring Wendell Corey.
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1925 play
by George Kelly
| Craig's Wife | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Dorothy Arzner |
| Written by | Mary C. McCall Jr. |
| Based on | Craig's Wife 1925 play by George Kelly |
| Produced by | Harry Cohn |
| Starring | Rosalind Russell John Boles Billie Burke |
| Cinematography | Lucien Ballard |
| Edited by | Viola Lawrence |
| Music by | R.H. Bassett Emil Gerstenberger Milan Roder |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 74 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
In Rye, New York, Walter Craig is married to his wife Harriet, who is out of town visiting her sick sister Lillian. His aunt Ellen Austen lives with them. While Harriet is away, Walter parties with his friend Fergus Passmore, though their friend Billy Birkmire cancels his engagement due to his father arriving unexpectedly. Meanwhile, Harriet decides her sister will recover quickly if left alone, and boards a train back home with her niece Ethel Landreth. During the ride, Harriet dismisses the notion of romantic love, claiming to have married Walter for her own independence. She also manages the household and the domestics through strict supervision.
When they arrive, Harriet sends Ethel to bed and returns to supervising the house. She discovers a message on a table, and calls the phone operators for the name and address to "Levering 3100." However, they are forbidden to answer her inquiry. Walter arrives and reconnects with Harriet, who inquires about the flowers left behind by their neighbor, Mrs. Frazier. While searching in the phone directory, Harriet learns "Levering 3100" is the address to Fergus, and unsuccessfully attempts to contact him. As Mrs. Frazier leaves, Harriet asks Ellen when Mrs. Frazier arrived and how she got into the house. Ellen criticizes Harriet's domineering and states that she is leaving the next day to travel the world. But before she leaves, she warns Walter about his wife's dominance over him. However, Walter refuses to believe it.
Walter soon steps out and learns that Fergus Passmore and his wife have died. Mr. Catelle, a police detective, tells Harriet that Walter is under suspicion of murder and asks who had recently called the Passmores. Harriet replies she does not know who had made the call. Walter returns, but Harriet forbids him from telephoning suspecting they are being surveilled by the police. Walter deduces that Harriet had made the call, and questions why she is spying on him. The two fall into an argument.
The next morning, Ethel's fiancé Gene Fredericks arrives and they leave together. Mrs. Harold, the housemaid, has decided to join Ellen Austen on her travels. She tells Mrs. Craig that she is quitting without notice and leaves the house. Walter learns he has been cleared of suspicion as police detectives have verified that Fergus and his wife died in a murder–suicide. Fed up with Harriet's ways, Walter leaves her the keys to the house and garage and promises not to return, stating Harriet had married a house and not him.
Harriet soon receives a telegram informing that her sister has died. Having alienated everyone, Harriet finds herself alone in a pristine house. The film ends with a line that Miss Austen said to Harriet: "People who live to themselves — are generally left to themselves."
Cast
- Rosalind Russell as Harriet Craig
- John Boles as Walter Craig
- Billie Burke as Mrs. Frazier
- Jane Darwell as Mrs. Harold
- Dorothy Wilson as Ethel Landreth
- Alma Kruger as Ellen Austen
- Thomas Mitchell as Fergus Passmore
- Raymond Walburn as Billy Birkmire
- Elisabeth Risdon as Mrs. Landreth
- Robert Allen as Gene Fredericks
- Nydia Westman as Mazie
- Kathleen Burke as Adelaide Passmore
- George Offerman Jr. as Tom
- Wallis Clark as Mr. Burton (uncredited)
Reception
- Louella Parsons wrote, "How well I remember 'Craig's Wife," a typical woman's play, and it's smart business therefore not only to sign Rosalind, but to hand the direction over to Dorothy Arzner, the only woman director in the business."[3]
- "The supporting cast of 'Craig's Wife' is one of the strongest ever to be assembled in one picture."[4]
- "This dynamic drama, baring the life of all womankind, is a screen triumph no wife or sweetheart dare miss! ... The play that electrified Broadway and won the Pulitzer prize, now lays bare the heart of a woman and her consuming passion!"[5]
- "'Craig's Wife' is likely to appeal chiefly to women audiences and to attract attention mainly from those who demand that their movies be intelligent. It deserves better treatment than that for it is well made and excellently played."[6]