Pre-Code Confidential #1: Journal of a Crime (1934)
The first in a new series of posts where I take a look at some under the radar pre-code films that truly turn up the crime, sex, scandal, and sensationalism.
Released by Warner Brothers and directed by the versatile William Keighley (Each Dawn I Die, The Man Who Came To Dinner), Journal of a Crime explores themes of betrayal, guilt, murder, and infidelity. The film fearlessly tackles these issues, without all that pesky moralizing or censorship prevalent in later productions released after the enforcement of the Hays Code, where the punishment of a crime became the central concern and a teachable moment.
Set in Paris, this tale begins with Francoise, portrayed by Ruth Chatterton, discovering her husband, the successful theatrical director Paul (Adolphe Menjou), is having an affair with Odette (Claire Dodd), the leading lady of his new play. Odette, fed up with being the mistress, issues an ultimatum for Paul to leave his wife, a demand Francoise secretly overhears.
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