This one is a lavishly and glossily produced weepie melodrama, full of the usual tried and true plot devices. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the situations are even less convincing than the average. On the other hand, it does have a remarkable flashback sequence where the off-screen commentary (by Barbara Stanwyck) is impishly biting and satirical. Most of the players are also more convincing than we might expect. Barbara is delightfully cool and assured in a tailor-made role. She has the lion's share of the action as well as the most fetching costumes. George Brent, on the other hand, starts well but soon reverts to type. On the other hand, it's always a pleasure to watch players like Gene Lockhart and Donald Crisp go through their paces. Donald Woods has an impressive opening scene, but then unaccountably disappears from the action altogether. But most impressive of all is young Larry Simms, of all people ("Alexander" in the Blondie series), who gives a surprisingly skilled and realistic portrayal in a rare dramatic part. P.S. I would describe Erville Alderson's role as that of a witness rather than a farmer.
Review of The Gay Sisters
