Proof, if it were ever going to really be required, that Gloria Swanson could take to talking pictures like a duck to water. Her first complete talkie is a bit convoluted, but somehow that just serves to shine a bit more light on her ability to carry it through. She is "Marion", a secretary who marries the rather hen-pecked son "Jack" (Robert Ames) of a millionaire. The father "Merrick" (the original William Holden) is having none of it and insists on getting it annulled. "Jack" proves pretty spineless and eighteen months later she finds herself living off her new boss with a secret baby whilst he has married some more "suitable" lady. Tragedy strikes the new wife, and her meal-ticket boss, though - and she is soon somewhat on her uppers and the story comes sort of full circle. Swanson manages the character of "Marion" very well indeed. The young, flighty gal in love with "Jack" becomes the maternal, stoic - even a somewhat repentant lady as the story concludes. The photography can be both sweeping and intimate and helps creates an effective ambiance well too. Swanson's singing is front and centre - not always obviously connected with the storyline, or the mood - but she can certainly hold a tune, especially with a nice rendition of Enrico Toselli's delightful "Serendade". The supporting cast do their jobs, little more - but this is all about Gloria, and is well worth catching up with.
