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The Last of Mrs. Cheyney
Production: Not Available;
Premiere: Not Available;
Released: July 6, 1929;
Production/Distribution Companies: Metro Goldwyn Mayer;
Runtime: 94 min;
Country: USA;
Language: English;
Color: Black and White;
Sound Mix: Mono (Western Electric Sound System);
Available on Laserdisc;
Cast: Norma Shearer as Mrs. Cheyney; Basil Rathbone as Lord Arthur Dilling; George Barraud as Charles; Herbert Bunston as Lord Elton; Hedda Hopper as Lady Maria; Moon Carroll as Joan; Madeline Seymour as Mrs. Wynton; Cyril Chadwick as Willie Wynton; Maude Turner Gordon as Mrs. Webley;
Awards & Nominations:
Academy Award Nomination for Best Screen Play;
Production Credits:
Produced by: Irving Thalberg;
Directed by: Sidney Franklin; James Grant Forbes;
Writers: Hans Kraly; Claudine West; Lucille Newmark;
Gowns by: Adrian;
Editing: Conrad A. Nervig;
Reviews:
“The role of Mrs. Cheyney is no mere scenarist’s confection. It is strict, precise, exacting. The manner is difficult, the method is more so, the characterization is almost too perfect, but script to admit of perfect portrayal. Yet, perfect portrayal is what Miss Shearer gives it. If you will understand what I mean I say I did not recognize the principle, as Miss Shearer as Mrs. Cheney. Then I will say it. I did not. For Miss Shearer, in my mind has no doubt in yours, is an excellent motion picture actress; whereas Mrs. Cheney at the Chicago theatre is an English Lady (I seem to be getting a bit diffuse in all this, but I think you are receiving me).”
T.O. Service in Exhibitor’s Herald World, July 13, 1929.
“In the portrayals, Miss Shearer averaged well. She evidences a more precise expressiveness facially than she does vocally, and some of her very best scenes are in the silent ones. Nevertheless, she measures very well to the majority of the role’s requirements, the crispness of her voice being well suited to the repartee portions. She is exceedingly attractive in the role.”
Edwin Schallert in the Los Angeles Times, July 13, 1929
“Miss Shearer’s work is remarkably good. She talks charmingly and of course, she is good looking. The speaking likeness of Mrs. Cheyney makes that resourceful woman of the world a thoroughly engaging person, clever and almost Wildean in her stinging comments to her society companions.”
Mordaunt Hall in the New York Times, August 12, 1929
”Seriously, The Last of Mrs. Cheyney is a praiseworthy entertainment. Norma Shearer is superb as the young lady crook who decides to go straight when she meets Lord Dilling (Basil Rathbone). As for Ms. Rathbone-if I tell you that he is a sort of composite talking picture of John Gilbert and Ronald Colman you may have a faint idea of what to expect. I hope he is here to stay. George Barraud is excellent, and Hedda Hopper leans glamour to the scene. Watson, you may serve the applause.”
Delight Evans in Screenland, October 1929
Movie Posters:
