Solemplex To me, this movie is perfection.

Dotsthavesp I wanted to but couldn't!

Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

Pacionsbo Absolutely Fantastic

lugonian KIND LADY (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1935), directed by George B. Seitz, stars Aline MacMahon, a recent recruit from Warner Brothers, in an interesting role of a caring British spinster known for her acts of kindness who falls victim to a total stranger she meets on a cold snowy night. Based upon the play by Edward Chodorov that starred Grace George and Henry Daniell, and the story "The Silver Casket" by Hugh Walpole, it's one of those overlooked chilling suspense thrillers that could easily be mistaken for an Agatha Christie story or one directed by the master of suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock. Considering this sort of material enacted, there's no shadow of a doubt this would have been much to his liking. Opening on Christmas Eve, the story introduces Mary Herris (Aline MacMahon), a charitable woman living the lonely life in her mansion with her servants who quietly longs for a man named Richard who died years ago in the war. Leaving church after listening to a boys choir singing "Silent Night," Mary is approached by Henry Abbott (Basil Rathbone), an young artist who has rested his paintings in front of her home. Abbott, knowing about her acts of kindness through a homeless man (E.E.Clive), pleas on her sympathy by having her invite him into her home for a cup of tea. Though Mary finds this handsome young stranger an impressive and well educated gentleman, Rose (Nola Luxford), her housekeeper, finds he's not to be trusted. Told he has a wife and child, Mary offers Abbott both money and a coat as a friendly gesture for his spouse. As he leaves, she advises him not to return. Days later after meeting with her nephew, Peter (Frank Albertson) and his fiancé (Mary Carlisle), Mary is visited by Abbott again. This time he has come with the cigarette case he had stolen from her, and, in desperate need of financial support, talks the kind lady into buying one of his paintings. Seeing that his wife, Ada (Justine Chase) and baby, are awaiting him across the street in the pouring rain, Mary witnesses the frail woman fainting on the pavement while still clutching onto her infant. Having them brought into her home, Mary is advised by the doctor (Murray Kinnell), brought in by Abbott, to have the sickly woman remain under her care until her condition improves. Weeks pass. By then, Mary's servants have quit due to her guests and the visitation of their undesirable friends, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards (Dudley Digges and EIly Malyon) and their daughter, Aggie (Barbara Shields). Realizing her charitable work has reached its limit, Mary orders them from her house. Rather than a fond farewell or gathering by the fireplace singing Christmas songs, Abbott and his friends take control over Mary, who's now become a prisoner of her own home with no means of communication to the outside world.For a movie that opens and closes on Christmas Eve, it's far from being an ordinary Christmas movie. Interestingly, though MGM produced subsequent suspense types as NIGHT MUST FALL (1937) and GASLIGHT (1944), to much success with Academy Award nominations to its credit, KIND LADY has become a somewhat obscure item. Years later when sold to commercial television, title was changed to HOUSE OF MENACE to avoid title conflicts with the 1951 MGM remake starring Ethel Barrymore and Maurice Evans. Broadcast revivals for this original have been scarce until revivals with restored theatrical title have appeared, along with its remake, on Turner Classic Movies after 1994. Although many regard the 1951 edition to be superior, what makes the original interesting is its leading players. Although title character might have or should have gone to the theater's Grace George, or British-born Dame May Witty, MacMahon, who might be labeled miscast, does a commendable job regardless. The unpleasant situation she endures from her house-guests is something that could happen to any trusting soul. Fear and terror come across believably through her fragile face, as does hope of being saved. There's no disagreement about Rathbone's sinister contribution to the cast. It's through his creepy performance that the story survives it's handicaps, notable ones being couple of sudden scene shifts and/or sudden blackouts causing unevenness towards the story that indicate initial print longer than the circulating 75 minutes. Others members of the cast include Donald Meek (Mr. Lester of the Barkeley Bank); Frank Reicher (Gustave Roubet); and Doris Lloyd. Lloyd, seen as MacMahon's sister in the early portion of the story, also appeared in the 1951 MGM remake in a different role. As the cast and crew make every effort making this intense thriller believable in both theme and structure, leave it to the kind lady (MacMahon) to take the time and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. (**1/2)

blanche-2 "Kind Lady" is based on a stage play. This version stars Aline MacMahon, Basil Rathbone, Nola Luxford, Mary Carlisle, and Donald Meek. It was remade with Ethel Barrymore and Maurice Evans in 1951."Kind Lady" is the story of Mary Herries, a wealthy British woman who takes pity on a starving artist, Henry Abbott (Rathbone), his wife, and baby and take them in. Her home and life are soon taken over by Abbott and his gang, and Mary is a prisoner in her own home while she is gradually robbed.Somehow, with a younger Mary and Henry, this film has a different and better dynamic, although the denouement in the 1951 film is more interesting than the ending here. Here, Mary still has the possibility of romance in her life, and though it isn't explored (or, given the class distinctions, probably not even a thought), there is some chemistry in the beginning between Mary and the debonair, dashing Rathbone.Aline MacMahon, normally in character roles, is excellent as Mary, a formal though generous and honest woman who cares for the less fortunate. Rathbone is dastardly and smooth as silk as Henry, whose aggressiveness becomes apparent almost immediately as he pressures Mary into buying one of his ugly paintings.This version is a little less cruel in its treatment of poor Mary, who seems to have the freedom to move around; in the '51 version, she doesn't, and Henry actually does her portrait.Both films are very good, as it's a strong story, but the '51 comes out as slightly superior. I did love this cast, though.

Michael_Elliott Kind Lady (1935) ** 1/2 (out of 4) Decent drama has a kind, rich recluse (Aline MacMahon) inviting a stranger (Basil Rathbone) into her home. Everything starts off fine but soon the stranger takes the woman hostage and invites his strange "friends" into the house. This is an extremely bizarre little film that has been outlived by the 1951 remake but this film here manages to be quite effective even though the directing is highly lacking. The biggest problem with the film is its rather timid direction, which really doesn't deliver a very good pace or enough tension. The tension is one thing that's really lacking and it's a shame because the story itself is so good as are the performances. Rathbone clearly steals the film as the maniac who has to come off so charming to get into the house and then slowly lose it as the more psychotic side comes out. Rathbone never gets enough credit for being such a good character actor, which is a real shame because most people just remember him as Sherlock Holmes. While he was masterful in that role, he did just as impressive work outside of it. The snake like charm makes this a must see for fans of his. MacMahan also delivers a great performance as she perfectly fits the role and the kindness she does display is quite touching yet she also brings a naive touch that makes it easy to understand why someone could take advantage of her. Mary Carlisle, Frank Albertson and Nola Luxford add nice support. Donald Meeks has a brief role as well. In the end, due to the great performances, you can't help but feel a bit letdown that the final film isn't as great as the cast but there's still enough here to make this one worth seeing at least once.

Neil Doyle ALINE MacMAHON and BASIL RATHBONE star in this early screen version of KIND LADY, given a remake in the 1950s, from a stage play.MacMahon is the kindly woman who lives alone in a large house surrounded by handsome and expensive artifacts. On Christmas Eve, she gives a man shelter. The man (Rathbone) turns out to be a scam artist who doesn't fool the hired help but makes a complete fool out of MacMahon, soon ushering in all of his gang members and threatening to kill MacMahon if she doesn't cooperate with their schemes.Extremely well done, with MacMahon giving one of her best screen performances in the title role. Rathbone is chilling as the intelligent thief intent on moving in and making a fortune by selling most of her possessions.Interesting story gets fine treatment from the entire cast, including FRANK ALBERTSON as the nephew who suspects something is wrong, DUDLEY DIGGES and DONALD MEEK. MURRAY KINNELL, posing as the doctor, is smoothly villainous. So is Rathbone as the man behind the schemes.Chilling and well worth watching.Interesting to note that Edward Ward wrote the background score (composer for the 1943 "Phantom of the Opera"), which is given more prominence than usual in a film from this period and sets the tone for the Christmas setting at the story's start.