What begins as a self-described "commonplace situation" tries to turn into a murder mystery, but does not really play fair: there are clues that are kept hidden from the audience until the final scene. William Powell and Myrna Loy have that palpable chemistry that made them such an enduring screen pair, Una Merkel is a joy as Loy's gal pal, and Isabel Jewell acts up a storm in the climactic sequence. The production has the typical MGM polish. **1/2 out of 4.

Directed by William K. Howard, with a screenplay by Lenore J. Coffee that was based on the novel by W.E. Woodward, this mystery drama is clever enough to hold one's interest until the final act, when the law goes out the window and incredulity reigns. It was actually the third film (ever and) from that year to team William Powell and Myrna Loy, who plays the title role.Evelyn Prentice (Loy) is the wife of a successful and well known, workaholic defense attorney, John (Powell), who specializes in helping women, like Mrs. Nancy Harrison (Rosalind Russell, who appears briefly as one such woman, in her screen debut), avoid conviction. When Mrs. Harrison insists on showing Prentice gratitude for her acquittal, Evelyn gets the wrong idea, which leads her into a brief if initially innocent situation with a conniving poet named Larry Kennard (Harvey Stephens). Thanks to Evelyn's interfering and visiting friend Amy Drexel (Una Merkel), Prentice gets wind of his wife's discontent and suspicions; he plans a 6 month 'reconciliation' European cruise for he, his wife, and their precocious 7 year old Dorothy (Cora Sue Collins). But Kennard learns of this through the society papers and with Evelyn's letters to him, whose meaning could be misinterpreted, he attempts to blackmail her for $15,000. She sees a gun in his desk drawer and demands her letters. Downstairs, Lennard's jealous girlfriend Judith Wilson (Isabel Jewell) hears a shot ring out, but fails to see Evelyn, holding a handkerchief to her mouth, escaping down the front stairs. Ms. Wilson is accused of killing Kennard. Evelyn, who has a "too be explained" cut on her mouth, insists that they cancel their cruise so that her husband might defend Ms. Wilson.An unbelievable trial ensues, one without much credibility to begin with that gets even more implausible, breaking all legal procedure and protocol, as it proceeds; Frank Conroy plays District Attorney Farley. Edward Brophy plays a brief, yet memorable role as Prentice's assistant Eddie Delaney; Jessie Ralph plays an even briefer role as Mrs. Blake, a witness to Evelyn's exit who keeps quiet in hopes of some future remuneration. Herman Bing appears uncredited as an antiques dealer named Klein, the scene that makes Brophy's role memorable. Billy Gilbert appears uncredited as a café owner, Samuel Hinds as a party guest.Remade as Stronger than Desire (1939) with Virginia Bruce, Walter Pidgeon, Lee Bowman, and Ann Dvorak.

William Powell and Myrna Loy made fourteen films together; "Evelyn Prentice" was their third, released in 1934. Powell plays John Prentice, a busy attorney who isn't spending enough time with his wife Evelyn (Loy) and child; he drifts into an affair with a needy client (Rosalind Russell) whom he has successfully defended in a manslaughter case. Evelyn is being wooed by a so-called poet (Harvey Stephens) who in truth has blackmail in mind. When he presents Evelyn with incriminating letters (though she hasn't had an affair with him, the letters are suggestive), a struggle ensues, and he winds up dead. His girlfriend (Isabel Jewell) is accused.The acting helps what has now become a familiar story. Myrna Loy is absolutely gorgeous and sympathetic as a lonely wife resisting the attentions of another man; and you know that Powell, despite his philandering, cares for her deeply. Una Merkel is delightful as Evelyn's friend.Powell and Loy worked so easily together and by all accounts enjoyed their collaborations, keeping up their friendship even after Powell retired. They're always a joy to watch.

Besides the obvious factors of a great cast of that era, a great writer of women's films and how the writers, director and actors were able to tell all without showing it all - leaving much to the imagination, one of the great surprises of this film is a short scene in a nightclub where two male dancers, one white and one black, do a lovely tap dance number. This is one of the first integrated dance sequences in a white nightclub I remember seeing on film.If anyone has more information about the dancers, and the history of this scene, i would be delighted to hear more about it! What a huge surprise.And you may know that Rosalind Russell is in the film, her film debut and she is great as ever, with the camera loving her. She would soon go on to greater film roles like her comedy with Cary Grant, that classic, My Girl Friday.The set designs are wonderful and reflect that period of Hollywood studio work. The cinematography too is wonderful. And the drama between William Powell and Myrna Loy is as wonderful as always. Una Merkel is a delight, filling in the gaps and the dialog of that period is also delightful.I enjoyed it. If you enjoy those great black and white 1930s classics, I think you will also enjoy this little gem.