This film is a fine example, I believe, of the many, many, many mediocre films in which the so-called "bright stars" of the past participated in.
Not unlike today, the VAST majority of Classic Hollywood's film productions were very dull and uninspired affairs; the comedies were often unfunny and the dramas were undramatic. Today, film festivals, universities and cable TV (TCM & AMC) generally display the best of the best from the Golden Years, so today's viewers becomes bias towards imagining that most of Classic Hollywood's films were indeed "classic." That, of course, is far from the truth. "But the Flesh is Weak" is a fine case in point.
It is a slightly enjoyable bit of fluff. Montgomery is well cast, but has little to do and a weak script with which to do it. C. Aubrey Smith is, well, C. Aubrey Smith--good as ever, but no surprises. Nora Gregor tries hard but falls flat. I tried to like her character, but in the end I couldn't see why most men would pant after this girl. Strangely, Heather Thatcher has a much stronger and interesting character, and she nails her "Lady Joan" nicely. When Thatcher was on the screen, I enjoyed the film much more. At times, Thatcher and Ann Harding could be confused as sisters.
So, sit back for a scant 77 minutes (they could've knocked 10 minutes off the running time), and see what a mediocre film from the pre-Code era with a big star was like. Today we pay hundreds of millions of dollars for so much mediocre nonsense on our movie screens, so why not check out this minor film from 1932.
Again, it isn't bad, but it will not receive many accolades.
Not unlike today, the VAST majority of Classic Hollywood's film productions were very dull and uninspired affairs; the comedies were often unfunny and the dramas were undramatic. Today, film festivals, universities and cable TV (TCM & AMC) generally display the best of the best from the Golden Years, so today's viewers becomes bias towards imagining that most of Classic Hollywood's films were indeed "classic." That, of course, is far from the truth. "But the Flesh is Weak" is a fine case in point.
It is a slightly enjoyable bit of fluff. Montgomery is well cast, but has little to do and a weak script with which to do it. C. Aubrey Smith is, well, C. Aubrey Smith--good as ever, but no surprises. Nora Gregor tries hard but falls flat. I tried to like her character, but in the end I couldn't see why most men would pant after this girl. Strangely, Heather Thatcher has a much stronger and interesting character, and she nails her "Lady Joan" nicely. When Thatcher was on the screen, I enjoyed the film much more. At times, Thatcher and Ann Harding could be confused as sisters.
So, sit back for a scant 77 minutes (they could've knocked 10 minutes off the running time), and see what a mediocre film from the pre-Code era with a big star was like. Today we pay hundreds of millions of dollars for so much mediocre nonsense on our movie screens, so why not check out this minor film from 1932.
Again, it isn't bad, but it will not receive many accolades.