Evelyn Prentice

Director: William K. Howard, William Howard William K. Howard

Overview

Filmed between the original Thin Man and the first of its sequels, Evelyn Prentice re-teamed William Powell and Myrna Loy as another husband-and-wife team knee deep in a murder mystery. In this one, Powell is John Prentice, a prominent lawyer with an eye for women other than his own wife. His latest interest is Nancy Harrison (Rosalind Russell, in her film debut), a client accused of manslaughter, whom Prentice successfully defended. Loy plays John's wife, Evelyn, who loves him but is hurt by his inattention and the loneliness that ensues. This leads her to engage in a flirtation of her own, with a charming writer (Harvey Stephens). The writer, however, is interested in Evelyn only for what he can get out of her and threatens to blackmail her. In a panic, she shoots him and runs away, discovering later that he has been found dead and that another woman, Judith Wilson, has been accused of his murder. Hoping that his expert legal skills will the innocent woman her acquittal, Evelyn convinces her husband to take on Wilson's defense. As the film progresses, Evelyn feels increasingly pressured to admit that she is responsible for the man's death.

Product Details

Release Date:	08/08/2017
UPC:	0888574513603
Original Release:	1934
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[B&W]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:19:00
Sales rank:	32,338

Special Features

Comedy short Goofy Movies #3; Classic cartoon The Discontented Canary; Theatrical trailer

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Myrna Loy	Evelyn Prentice
William Powell	John Prentice
Rosalind Russell	Mrs. Nancy Harrison
Una Merkel	Amy Drexel
Harvey Stephens	Lawrence Kennard
Isabel Jewell	Judith Wilson
Henry Wadsworth	Chester Wylie
Edward Brophy	Eddie Delaney,Eddie Delaney
Cora Sue Collins	Dorothy Prentice
Jessie Ralph	Mrs. Blake
Perry Ivins	Dr. Gillette
Sam Flint	Dr. Lyons
Pat O'Malley	Det. Pat Thompson
J.P. McGowan	Det. Mack Clark
Jack Mulhall	Gregory
Wilbur Mack	Reporter,Albert, the Butler
Garry Owen	Reporter,Waiter
Phil Tead	Reporter
Herman Bing	Klein, the Antique Dealer
Samuel S. Hinds	Newton
Georgia Caine	Mrs. Newton
John Hyams	Mr. Humphreys
Howard Hickman	Mr. Whitlock
Sam McDaniel	Porter
Billy Gilbert	Barney, the Cafe Owner
Crauford Kent	Guest
Clarence Wilson	Public Defender,Public Defender
Mariska Aldrich	Matron
Francis McDonald	Charles, the Chauffeur
Richard Tucker	Mr. Dillingham
Frank Conroy	District Attorney Farley
Sherry Hall	Court Clerk
Stanley Andrews	Judge
Matty Roubert	Newsboy
Ruth Warren	Miss Meade, John Prentice's Secretary
Bob Perry	Juryman
Larry Steers	Diner/Extra
Oscar Radin	Composer
Oscar Raclin	Composer

Technical Credits

Lenore Coffee

John W. Considine Jr.	Producer
William K. Howard	Director,Director
Lenore Coffee	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

Although Evelyn Prentice is routinely found wanting when compared to the William Powell-Myrna Loy Thin Man, when taken on its own terms it's actually a fairly engaging and enjoyable movie. Oh, it definitely has problems, most of them involving the screenplay. For example, the plot is chock full of coincidences that erode the film's credibility, and it features one of the most outrageous and unbelievable courtroom scenes one will encounter in any film. Also, William Howard's direction, while efficient and acceptable, lacks the imaginative spark that could lift Evelyn over some of the higher hurdles it has to tackle. However, screenwriter Lenore J. Coffee has provided some very effective scenes and if her dialogue lacks the punch associated with the better Powell-Loy films, it still hits some interesting notes. Powell and Loy, of course, are the real reasons to watch, and they don't disappoint in the least. If their roles don't allow them to banter in quite the way one wishes, there's still plenty of chemistry, and Loy gets to display her considerable dramatic skills to a greater degree than is customary in their pairings. Rosalind Russell and Isabel Jewell also turn in good work, and Una Merkel is a delight throughout. Not great, Evelyn is still a good enough little flick to warrant viewing.