KIND LADY (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1935), directed by George B. Seitz, stars Aline MacMahon, a recent recruit from Warner Brothers, in an interesting role of a caring British spinster known for her acts of kindness who falls victim to a total stranger she meets on a cold snowy night. Based upon the play by Edward Chodorov that starred Grace George and Henry Daniell, and the story "The Silver Casket" by Hugh Walpole, it's one of those overlooked chilling suspense thrillers that could easily be mistaken for an Agatha Christie story or one directed by the master of suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock. Considering this sort of material enacted, there's no shadow of a doubt this would have been much to his liking.
Opening on Christmas Eve, the story introduces Mary Herris (Aline MacMahon), a charitable woman living the lonely life in her mansion with her servants who quietly longs for a man named Richard who died years ago in the war. Leaving church after listening to a boys choir singing "Silent Night," Mary is approached by Henry Abbott (Basil Rathbone), an young artist who has rested his paintings in front of her home. Abbott, knowing about her acts of kindness through a homeless man (E.E.Clive), pleas on her sympathy by having her invite him into her home for a cup of tea. Though Mary finds this handsome young stranger an impressive and well educated gentleman, Rose (Nola Luxford), her housekeeper, finds he's not to be trusted. Told he has a wife and child, Mary offers Abbott both money and a coat as a friendly gesture for his spouse. As he leaves, she advises him not to return. Days later after meeting with her nephew, Peter (Frank Albertson) and his fiancé (Mary Carlisle), Mary is visited by Abbott again. This time he has come with the cigarette case he had stolen from her, and, in desperate need of financial support, talks the kind lady into buying one of his paintings. Seeing that his wife, Ada (Justine Chase) and baby, are awaiting him across the street in the pouring rain, Mary witnesses the frail woman fainting on the pavement while still clutching onto her infant. Having them brought into her home, Mary is advised by the doctor (Murray Kinnell), brought in by Abbott, to have the sickly woman remain under her care until her condition improves. Weeks pass. By then, Mary's servants have quit due to her guests and the visitation of their undesirable friends, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards (Dudley Digges and EIly Malyon) and their daughter, Aggie (Barbara Shields). Realizing her charitable work has reached its limit, Mary orders them from her house. Rather than a fond farewell or gathering by the fireplace singing Christmas songs, Abbott and his friends take control over Mary, who's now become a prisoner of her own home with no means of communication to the outside world.
For a movie that opens and closes on Christmas Eve, it's far from being an ordinary Christmas movie. Interestingly, though MGM produced subsequent suspense types as NIGHT MUST FALL (1937) and GASLIGHT (1944), to much success with Academy Award nominations to its credit, KIND LADY has become a somewhat obscure item. Years later when sold to commercial television, title was changed to HOUSE OF MENACE to avoid title conflicts with the 1951 MGM remake starring Ethel Barrymore and Maurice Evans. Broadcast revivals for this original have been scarce until revivals with restored theatrical title have appeared, along with its remake, on Turner Classic Movies after 1994. Although many regard the 1951 edition to be superior, what makes the original interesting is its leading players. Although title character might have or should have gone to the theater's Grace George, or British-born Dame May Witty, MacMahon, who might be labeled miscast, does a commendable job regardless. The unpleasant situation she endures from her house-guests is something that could happen to any trusting soul. Fear and terror come across believably through her fragile face, as does hope of being saved. There's no disagreement about Rathbone's sinister contribution to the cast. It's through his creepy performance that the story survives it's handicaps, notable ones being couple of sudden scene shifts and/or sudden blackouts causing unevenness towards the story that indicate initial print longer than the circulating 75 minutes.
Others members of the cast include Donald Meek (Mr. Lester of the Barkeley Bank); Frank Reicher (Gustave Roubet); and Doris Lloyd. Lloyd, seen as MacMahon's sister in the early portion of the story, also appeared in the 1951 MGM remake in a different role. As the cast and crew make every effort making this intense thriller believable in both theme and structure, leave it to the kind lady (MacMahon) to take the time and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. (**1/2)
Opening on Christmas Eve, the story introduces Mary Herris (Aline MacMahon), a charitable woman living the lonely life in her mansion with her servants who quietly longs for a man named Richard who died years ago in the war. Leaving church after listening to a boys choir singing "Silent Night," Mary is approached by Henry Abbott (Basil Rathbone), an young artist who has rested his paintings in front of her home. Abbott, knowing about her acts of kindness through a homeless man (E.E.Clive), pleas on her sympathy by having her invite him into her home for a cup of tea. Though Mary finds this handsome young stranger an impressive and well educated gentleman, Rose (Nola Luxford), her housekeeper, finds he's not to be trusted. Told he has a wife and child, Mary offers Abbott both money and a coat as a friendly gesture for his spouse. As he leaves, she advises him not to return. Days later after meeting with her nephew, Peter (Frank Albertson) and his fiancé (Mary Carlisle), Mary is visited by Abbott again. This time he has come with the cigarette case he had stolen from her, and, in desperate need of financial support, talks the kind lady into buying one of his paintings. Seeing that his wife, Ada (Justine Chase) and baby, are awaiting him across the street in the pouring rain, Mary witnesses the frail woman fainting on the pavement while still clutching onto her infant. Having them brought into her home, Mary is advised by the doctor (Murray Kinnell), brought in by Abbott, to have the sickly woman remain under her care until her condition improves. Weeks pass. By then, Mary's servants have quit due to her guests and the visitation of their undesirable friends, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards (Dudley Digges and EIly Malyon) and their daughter, Aggie (Barbara Shields). Realizing her charitable work has reached its limit, Mary orders them from her house. Rather than a fond farewell or gathering by the fireplace singing Christmas songs, Abbott and his friends take control over Mary, who's now become a prisoner of her own home with no means of communication to the outside world.
For a movie that opens and closes on Christmas Eve, it's far from being an ordinary Christmas movie. Interestingly, though MGM produced subsequent suspense types as NIGHT MUST FALL (1937) and GASLIGHT (1944), to much success with Academy Award nominations to its credit, KIND LADY has become a somewhat obscure item. Years later when sold to commercial television, title was changed to HOUSE OF MENACE to avoid title conflicts with the 1951 MGM remake starring Ethel Barrymore and Maurice Evans. Broadcast revivals for this original have been scarce until revivals with restored theatrical title have appeared, along with its remake, on Turner Classic Movies after 1994. Although many regard the 1951 edition to be superior, what makes the original interesting is its leading players. Although title character might have or should have gone to the theater's Grace George, or British-born Dame May Witty, MacMahon, who might be labeled miscast, does a commendable job regardless. The unpleasant situation she endures from her house-guests is something that could happen to any trusting soul. Fear and terror come across believably through her fragile face, as does hope of being saved. There's no disagreement about Rathbone's sinister contribution to the cast. It's through his creepy performance that the story survives it's handicaps, notable ones being couple of sudden scene shifts and/or sudden blackouts causing unevenness towards the story that indicate initial print longer than the circulating 75 minutes.
Others members of the cast include Donald Meek (Mr. Lester of the Barkeley Bank); Frank Reicher (Gustave Roubet); and Doris Lloyd. Lloyd, seen as MacMahon's sister in the early portion of the story, also appeared in the 1951 MGM remake in a different role. As the cast and crew make every effort making this intense thriller believable in both theme and structure, leave it to the kind lady (MacMahon) to take the time and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. (**1/2)