Madame X

The first sound version of Frenchman Alexandre Bisson's classic tearjerker starring Chatterton (whose appearance here launched her as one of the first major female stars of the talkies) as the bored wife of a diplomat whose affair with a playboy leads her on a path of self-destruction. Routine in most respects, and the first directing effort by actor Lionel Barrymore. His skill behind the camera is evident, but the overly histrionic material prevents any true sparks from flying. MGM's first two talkies, ALIAS JIMMY VALENTINE (1928) and BROADWAY MELODY (1928), were made using a stationary microphone. While MADAME X was being shot, Barrymore suggested putting the mic...