MovieChat Forums > True Confession (1937) Discussion > Una Merkel steals the movie

Una Merkel steals the movie

posted 8 years ago by bcamphome
4 replies | jump to latest

I loved Una in every scene she's in. Her performance, in which she behaves like a genuine human being, is quite a contrast with that of Carole Lombard, who is quite manic throughout, playing one of her patented only-in-a-screwball-comedy movie characters. Even in simple little actions, like her annoyance at John Barrymore every time he entered her row in the courtroom, Una's facial expressions and gestures are priceless. I'd really love to see Una in more leading roles, but I'm not sure she did many. I've seen 17 of her movies, in all of which she had supporting roles.

Carole is quite watchable here, but I never quite believed her. And I wonder if that's a problem I have with some of her other movies, e.g. NOTHING SACRED and TWENTIETH CENTURY. Always fun to watch and listen to, but never actually resembling a real human being. I think it worked in MY MAN GODFREY because it was such an absurd situation, but I'd have to see that film again to be sure. I seem to remember her being excellent in TO BE OR NOT TO BE, but that may have been due to Lubitsch's handling of her. I may need to see more of her dramas.

[–] kenny-164 8 years ago

I disagree with any negative take on Carole Lombard's presence here and in general regarding her career. I think she was an excellent and quite diverse actress.

The OP also implies that Lonbard's character as portrayed here fit some kind of screwball comedy template that in effect was clichéd. The problem with that is that at the time this film was made I don't think the genre was so overdone as to allow a perception along those lines. It was still developing. In any event the manner of her portrayal fit with the character as written. It was not some ill fitting decision on Lombard's part to play it as she did.

Having said that I can agree Ms. Merkel was very good in this film. I thought the interplay between them was what drove the whole film. McMurray's character was the one that relatively was the more problematic.

[–] CarolT2 8 years ago

Kenny-164,
I love all the Carole Lombard movies I've seen. This was on TCM the other night. I'd never seen it before & I loved it.
I have the TCM app on my iPad & iPhone, but I cannot sign in on iPad app, which is strange. I have Comcast & screen to sign in once you pick your provider takes me to TCM logo.

I'm hoping they'll fix it, but TCM app will address it.

[–] kenny-164 8 years ago

Carol,

Me too about Carole Lombard. Aside from her being very talented, she gives me this feeling like she must have been really something in real life. Ftr I feel similarly about Joan Fontaine. But definitely about Ms. Lombard as well.

And yes all her roles are great.

[–] CarolT2 8 years ago

Kenny 164,
Carole Lombard was a well loved, by all, from studio carpenters to one of the most hated men in Hollywood-Harry Cohn. They got along well.
I've read two biographies of her last summer, Fireball, which is about Carole & it has a lot of info on the others killed in the plane crash & looks into the crash itself & recovery efforts.

I paid more than I should have for a 1975 book by Larry Swindell-Screwball. I read Screwball during the summer on & off. I'm going to read again continuously. I spent a good deal of time looking up other celebrities of 1920's & 30's because I wasn't familiar with them or knew who they were.

I don't know anything about Joan Fontaine. I'll look her up here.
Thank you.