THE BARRETTS OF WIMPOLE STREET (1934) B/W 110m dir: Sidney Franklin

w/Norma Shearer, Fredric March, Charles Laughton, Maureen O'Sullivan, Katherine Alexander, Una O'Connor, Ian Wolfe, Marion Clayton, Ralph Forbes, Vernon Downing

The romance of Elizabeth Barrett (Shearer) and Robert Browning (March) , despite the tyrannical opposition of her father (Laughton), is given a respectful treatment by director Franklin (who also directed the 1956 British remake with Jennifer Jones, William Travers, and John Gielgud) and producer Irving Thalberg.

From The Movie Guide: "Though much of the acting is somewhat theatrical, it is also effective on its own terms in this rarefied atmosphere. The climactic moment as Elizabeth struggles out of her father's grasp, realizing that his smothering love for her isn't simply of a paternal nature, is extremely well handled by both Shearer and Laughton. Although the latter's villainy dominates the film, the supporting performances are generally good, particularly those of O'Sullivan as Elizabeth's hapless younger sister and O'Connor as a loyal servant. Not as good as contemporary reviews suggest, but nostalgically charming."

Nominated for Academy Awards for Best Picture and Actress (Shearer).