My original review: It's interesting to read our reviews of this film here at IMDb. Interestingly, most of our reviewers give it pretty decent marks, which was not what most reviewers said at the time of the film's original release. And I must concur with those reviewers some 70 years ago. Stodgy is a good descriptor for this film, and it seemed like it went on forever. And I say that as a tremendous fan of Bette Davis. And I note that this film was made at the beginning of what one might call "the golden age of Bette Davis". By this film was not gold, rather bronze. Many viewers will be disappointed in the demise of legendary Bette Davis costar George Brent very early in the film. As stodgy as this film is, particularly during much of its early scenes, it was rather daring that Davis' character had an illegitimate child, which she then raises as a foundling. I recently read that with Mariam Hopkins, you either thought she was wonderful, or horrible, with very little room in between. I tend to dislike her as an actress, though she had some roles that were tremendous. This is not one of them, though she is passable here. To be honest, it's the last 20 or so minutes of the film where you will find the best scenes by all the actresses, particularly some strong scenes by Davis. Before that, there are occasional strong scenes, with lots of pap in between. But that last 20 minutes...mmmmmmmm. The only other actor worth mentioning here is the great Donald Crisp, who is superb as the doctor and family friend. This film is worth watching, but I doubt it'll find its way to many home DVD shelves. Some of Bette Davis' films I can watch over and over and over. But not this one. Once is fine. Perhaps if the writers had totally redone the plot it might have been a great film...as great as its initial premise.
Now, several years later, I have just finished re-watching this film, and while I still rate it a "7", I found it much better than when I viewed it previously. I didn't find it stodgy at all this time around. No, it's not one of Bette Davis' very best films, but it's darned good. Not a gold, not a bronze...perhaps a silver. I also found Miriam Hopkins much better than I had previously thought...in this film; I still think she was an actress that appeared as a dolt far too often in films, but she was good here. I'm still not going to buy the DVD, but I can see myself watching the film again.
Now, several years later, I have just finished re-watching this film, and while I still rate it a "7", I found it much better than when I viewed it previously. I didn't find it stodgy at all this time around. No, it's not one of Bette Davis' very best films, but it's darned good. Not a gold, not a bronze...perhaps a silver. I also found Miriam Hopkins much better than I had previously thought...in this film; I still think she was an actress that appeared as a dolt far too often in films, but she was good here. I'm still not going to buy the DVD, but I can see myself watching the film again.