Evelyn Prentice

1934
Approved
1h 19m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Myrna Loy and William Powell in Evelyn Prentice (1934)

The neglected wife of a high profile attorney dallies with a unscrupulous womanizer and finds herself involved in blackmail and murder.The neglected wife of a high profile attorney dallies with a unscrupulous womanizer and finds herself involved in blackmail and murder.The neglected wife of a high profile attorney dallies with a unscrupulous womanizer and finds herself involved in blackmail and murder.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

1.9K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
The third of 14 films pairing William Powell and Myrna Loy.

Goofs
When John is discussing the clues of the case in their living room, Evelyn puts her fists up to her cheeks. In the next angle, they are by her sides.

Quotes
John Prentice: A jury in doubt is a jury in the bag.

Alternate versions
There is an Italian edition of this film on DVD, distributed by DNA srl, "L'AMANTE SCONOSCIUTA (1934) + THE THIN MAN (L'uomo ombra, 1934)" (2 Films on a single DVD), re-edited with the contribution of film historian Riccardo Cusin. This version is also available for streaming on some platforms.

Connections
Referenced in Double Wedding (1937)

Soundtracks
Wiegenlied (Lullaby) Op. 49 No. 4
(1868) (uncredited)
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Played when Myrna Loy discovers Cora Sue Collins asleep
Later played on piano by Collins and sung by her and William Powell

User reviews44

Review

Featured review

6/10

Worthwhile pre Thin Man Powell/Loy pairing

Decent drama from MGM and director William K. Howard that marked the third teaming of Myrna Loy and William Powell. Powell is John Prentice, a successful workaholic defense attorney who provides well for his wife Evelyn (Loy) and young daughter Dorothy (Cora Sue Collins), but he's never home to share it with them. When Evelyn thinks that John is having an affair, she flirts with having one of her own with charming cad Lawrence (Harvey Stephens). This leads to even more trouble and heartache. Also featuring Una Merkel as Loy's best friend and Rosalind Russell in her film debut.

Loy is very good in this as the emotionally conflicted Evelyn who gets in over her head. Powell underplays the big finale courtroom scenes well. Russell is okay as a client of Powell's who's a little too grateful for his services. Her role could have been expanded, though. The presence of Merkel is always a plus in my book. Of the 3 films with Loy/Powell in 1934, the others being Manhattan Melodrama and The Thin Man, this is the least impressive, but it's still worth a look.