THE LAST OF MRS CHEYNEY (1929) Norma Shearer, Basil Rathbone & George Barraud | B&W | Retro Movie

Please visit our streaming service at https://lostnfoundfilms.uscreen.io/

The Last of Mrs. Cheyney is a 1929 American Pre-Code comedy-drama film directed by Sidney Franklin. The screenplay by Hanns Kräly is based on the 1925 play of the same name by Frederick Lonsdale which ran on Broadway for 385 performances. The film was remade twice, with the same title in 1937 and as The Law and the Lady in 1951.

The film's sets were designed by the resident MGM art director Cedric Gibbons.

Synopsis:

Resourceful and engaging Fay Cheyney, posing as a wealthy Australian widow at a Monte Carlo hotel, befriends Mrs. Webley with the intention of stealing her pearl necklace, a plot devised by Charles, her butler and partner-in-crime. Complicating the situation are the romantic feelings she develops for Lord Arthur Dilling, Mrs. Webley's nephew. While taking the necklace during a party in the Webley home, Fay is caught by Arthur, who threatens to expose her unless she submits to him. Rather than compromise her principles, she confesses to her hostess, who plans to contact the police until Lord Elton, another guest, recalls Fay has a love letter he wrote her that could prove to be embarrassing to everyone present. They offer her money in exchange for the letter and her freedom, but when she destroys the letter and refuses their payment, they welcome her back into their social circle.

Cast & Crew:

Norma Shearer as Fay Cheyney
Basil Rathbone as Lord Arthur Dilling
George Barraud as Charles
Herbert Bunston as Lord Elton
Hedda Hopper as Lady Maria
Maude Turner Gordon as Mrs. Webley
Moon Carroll as Joan
Madeline Seymour as Mrs. Wynton
Cyril Chadwick as Willie Wynton
George K. Arthur as George
Frank Finch Smiles as William

Directed by: Sidney Franklin
Written by: Hans Kraly, Claudine West
Based on: The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1925 play) by Frederick Lonsdale
Produced by: Irving Thalberg (uncredited)
Cinematography: William H. Daniels
Edited by: Conrad A. Nervig
Music by: William Axt
Production Company: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release Date: July 26, 1929
Running Time: 94 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English