Cynara

1932

1h 18m

IMDb RATING

4.7/10

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Drama

Romance

A London barrister's marriage is under strain after his affair with a shopgirl who is out to have him. The story is told in flashback.

Directors

King Vidor

Writers

R. Gore Brown(novel by)

Lynn Starling(adaptation by)

Frances Marion(adaptation by)

Stars

Ronald Colman

Kay Francis

Phyllis Barry

See production, box office & company info

Top cast

James Warlock

Clemency Warlock

Doris Emily Lea

John Tring

Milly Miles

Garla

Onslow

Joseph the Maitre D'

Mr. Boots

Henry

Jim's Valet Merton

Coroner at Inquest (uncredited)

Erville Alderson

Jason

Blanche Friderici

Concerned Mother in Courtroom (uncredited)

Charlie Hall

Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)

Colin Kenny

Officer at Inquest

Rafael Alcayde

Mario

Directors

King Vidor

Writers

R. Gore Brown(novel by)

Lynn Starling(adaptation by)

Frances Marion(adaptation by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

I think what makes this rather unremarkable early talkie stand out is the role of the usually benevolent Henry Stephenson as "John Tring". This time his mellifluous, fireside tones have a distinctly disreputable quality and his character is positively sleazy! Ronald Colman ("Jim Warlock") is an happily married barrister who has a fling with Phyllis Barry ("Doris"). She pursues him and soon he has fallen in love, just as his wife (Kay Francis) returns from Italy where she had been trying to save her sister from a bad relationship. Told by way of a retrospective, King Vidor elicits a good effort from Colman, and the narrative that deals with adultery, tragedy and ambition is delivered in a gentle, but effective fashion - for 1932, anyway. Kay Francis features sparingly, but still manages to own the screen when she appears, and though his behaviour is despicable - it is quite difficult to loathe "Warlock" entirely. Sadly, however, it plods - the pace is rambling and the focus too blurred; the subject matter could have delivered more punch. As it is, it's watchable, but perhaps all just a bit too nice.

Geronimo196713 Jun, 2022