White Lies
White Lies

Movie spotlight

White Lies

1935
Movie
63 min
English

A powerful publisher John Mitchell whose pursuit of sensational headlines at the expense of all else takes a personal toll when his daughter Joan is implicated in a murder.

Insights

Director: Bollin JonesGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

A young woman, facing financial ruin, becomes entangled with a wealthy and manipulative older man who promises to solve her problems. She finds herself caught between her true love and the dangerous allure of a life of luxury, leading to a series of moral compromises. The film explores the consequences of deception and the struggle for independence in a society with rigid expectations.

Critical Reception

Contemporary reviews for 'White Lies' were mixed, with some critics praising its dramatic intensity and the performances of its lead actors, while others found its plot predictable and its moralizing heavy-handed. It is considered a minor film of its era, often overlooked in broader discussions of 1930s cinema.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its earnest performances, particularly from Rosemary Lane.

  • Criticized for a conventional and somewhat predictable narrative arc.

  • Noted for its portrayal of societal pressures on young women.

Google audience: Audience reception data from 1935 is scarce, but contemporary critical commentary suggests that while some viewers appreciated the emotional drama, many found the storyline to be less engaging than other films of the period.

Fun Fact

Rosemary Lane, who played the lead, was part of a singing sister act with her sisters Lola and Leota; they were often referred to as 'The Lane Sisters' and appeared together in several musical numbers in their films.

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