By 1935 Ann Harding's star had diminished because of too many sudsy movies - even her fine performance in "Peter Ibbetson" couldn't stem the unpopularity. To finish up her RKO contract she starred in "The Lady Consents", a sophisticated comedy drama that holds up very well. It was a return to the old Ann Harding - the Ann of "The Animal Kingdom" and "When Ladies Meet".
Based on the story "The Indestructible Mrs. Talbot" by P.J. Wolfson (how the public would have run from that title), the plot involves a middle class doctor, Michael Talbot (Herbert Marshall), who after seven years of marriage with Ann (Ann Harding) suddenly finds himself attracted to elite sports woman Jerry (Margaret Lindsay). It's hard to understand why - she has the personality of a rattle snake but it all has to do with the "7 year itch" syndrome, I suppose. He even neglects to meet his father's boat because he is having lunch with her - never mind, good egg Ann is on hand to welcome his father plus fleece some of his cronies shooting craps!! That's what I love about Ann Harding, for all her elegance and regal beauty, she does not look out of place playing dice, shooting pool and even drinking beer out of a can!! Jerry is a predator who has set her cap at Michael with a view to marriage and prestige - she even invites Ann to the wedding to show (as she says) that "women can be civilized about such things" and also to gloat a little. Edward Ellis almost steals the movie as Michael's cranky, cigar chomping father, Jim, who is not fooled by Jerry's phoniness.
Once they are married even dopey Michael is repelled by her coldness and selfishness - when Michael's friend dies from an appendectomy, she rejects him and his "wanting to talk about things", more concerned with her tennis match the next day. Jim is always ready for a talk but he finds the house increasingly uncomfortable as Jerry indulges in her "keeping up with the Jones" manner - she also makes no secret of the fact that she doesn't want him around. No matter, Jim knows he can always be himself at Ann's and there will always be canned beer in the fridge. My favourite scene has to be when Michael visits Ann on Christmas Eve and they rekindle their affection during an evening revisiting favourite tunes on the piano - a montage of sheet music flashes on the screen - "The Continental", "I Love You So Much", "Paradise" (all from RKO films of course). It takes a fatal accident to bring Michael to his senses but, of course, it is up to Ann (who has never stopped loving him) to concoct a trap for Jerry (who vows never to divorce him) to fall into.
Margaret Lindsay is just super as Jerry who is all calculation. She should have been given more chances like this, instead of all those "good girl" roles. Walter Abel, at the start of his career, is pretty good as Ashton, the man always destined to wait in the wings.
Highly Recommended.
Based on the story "The Indestructible Mrs. Talbot" by P.J. Wolfson (how the public would have run from that title), the plot involves a middle class doctor, Michael Talbot (Herbert Marshall), who after seven years of marriage with Ann (Ann Harding) suddenly finds himself attracted to elite sports woman Jerry (Margaret Lindsay). It's hard to understand why - she has the personality of a rattle snake but it all has to do with the "7 year itch" syndrome, I suppose. He even neglects to meet his father's boat because he is having lunch with her - never mind, good egg Ann is on hand to welcome his father plus fleece some of his cronies shooting craps!! That's what I love about Ann Harding, for all her elegance and regal beauty, she does not look out of place playing dice, shooting pool and even drinking beer out of a can!! Jerry is a predator who has set her cap at Michael with a view to marriage and prestige - she even invites Ann to the wedding to show (as she says) that "women can be civilized about such things" and also to gloat a little. Edward Ellis almost steals the movie as Michael's cranky, cigar chomping father, Jim, who is not fooled by Jerry's phoniness.
Once they are married even dopey Michael is repelled by her coldness and selfishness - when Michael's friend dies from an appendectomy, she rejects him and his "wanting to talk about things", more concerned with her tennis match the next day. Jim is always ready for a talk but he finds the house increasingly uncomfortable as Jerry indulges in her "keeping up with the Jones" manner - she also makes no secret of the fact that she doesn't want him around. No matter, Jim knows he can always be himself at Ann's and there will always be canned beer in the fridge. My favourite scene has to be when Michael visits Ann on Christmas Eve and they rekindle their affection during an evening revisiting favourite tunes on the piano - a montage of sheet music flashes on the screen - "The Continental", "I Love You So Much", "Paradise" (all from RKO films of course). It takes a fatal accident to bring Michael to his senses but, of course, it is up to Ann (who has never stopped loving him) to concoct a trap for Jerry (who vows never to divorce him) to fall into.
Margaret Lindsay is just super as Jerry who is all calculation. She should have been given more chances like this, instead of all those "good girl" roles. Walter Abel, at the start of his career, is pretty good as Ashton, the man always destined to wait in the wings.
Highly Recommended.