Chicago's Critical Reaction to 'Paradine Case'
In an earlier post, on another topic, Fordraff asked about the Chicago film critics and their response to the film, The Paradine Case . The critical reaction was favorable, though with some negative comments, given below. The extracts below are from the four Chicago dailies that existed in 1948:
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Chicago Tribune, Monday, July 12, 1948 (opening day for the film):
'Paradine Case' Makes Highly Intelligent Film
The result is a faithful translation of the original story about a fascinating woman on trial for her life, and the film version jklis a polished one. It is recommended to those who can appreciate skilful repartee.
While the film is long on dialog, the speeches are shrewdly written, and the battle of wits, the fencing between lawyers, the subtle influences of the judge are sharp skirmishes.
The photografy is superb and the settings dramatic, with interesting shots of London's Old Bailey. While I thought the film too long and frequently lacking in pace, it is extremely intelligent.
[Special Note: The Tribune ran serially Robert Hichens' novel in 1933.]
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Chicago Daily Times, Tuesday, Juyly 13, 1948, p. 35, c. 1:
Doris Arden says: 'The Paradine Case' [3 stars]
It is also a slightly disappointing one---since, in spite of all the talent and care that went into its production, too few of the scenes have the vitality and excitement that you expect from the story. A great many of the scenes seem so studiously rehearesed that, though they are smoothly played, they lack the spontaniety that gives a story real conviction.
In spite of its dull stretches and a great deal of talk, it is in general both handsome and intelligent entertainment.
The picture's most interesting scenes, we thought, were those of the trial itself, staged in a courtroom which is a replica of London's famed Old Bailey, and related with English formality and precision. There is genuine drama to the moments when young Jourdan is on the witness stand, and to the rage with which he answers Mr. Peck.
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Chicago American, Tuesday, July 13, 1948, p. 16, c. 3:
'Paradine Case' Engrossing Movie
by Ann Marsters
There is little action throughout the film. Yet it holds your complete attention with a great deal of interesting dialog and moments of wonderful silence. The camera work is of the finest quality.
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Chicago Daily News, Tuesday, July 13, 1948, p. 22, c. 1:
That Old Hitchcock Touch
'Paradine Case' Masterful
by Sam Lesner
But Mr. Hitchcock, despite a script that at best is one dimensional, emotionally, lays bare the warped soul of the villainess, Valli; the weakness of the criminal lawyer, Gregory Peck; the wisdom and spiritual beauty of Ann Todd as Peck's wife; the cultured brutality of Laughton, the judge; the timorousness of Miss Barrymore as the judge's wife.
It is only afterward that one realizes the audacity of Hitchcock. The story starts on the somber note of a beautiful lady being arrested as a husband poisoner.
There is no relief from that tortured beginning. The story digs down, down into the abnormal byways of human conduct and ends with the confessed guilt of the beaufiful suspect---a guilt that is apparent from the very beginning.
If you are inclined to think that the film has a weak ending, remember this. In crime the manhunt and the wresting of the confession are the drama and the climax. The confession itself is the anti-climax. Thus, 'The Paradine Case' is logical in its 'weak ending.'
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Photo, from Chicago Daily News, Friday, July 9, 1948:
[Photo of Gregory Peck and Valli]
Gregory Peck and Valli in this portrait study suggest the sub-title "The Lawyer and the Lady" for "The Paradine Case" which starts Monday at the Woods Theater.
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