Manslaughter
About Manslaughter
Lydia Thorne, a rich and careless young woman, starts a romance with district attorney Dan O'Bannon that her speeding and a maid's petty theft keep knocking sideways. Chased for speeding, she causes the death of the policeman. She is convicted of manslaughter and swears to get even with Dan, who prosecuted her. Prison changes her. Dan quits his job and drifts, then steadies himself. When she gets out she tries to have his new employer fire him. He says he still loves her. She sends him away, and later takes him back.
Cast & crew
More about Manslaughter
George Abbott directed and adapted Alice Duer Miller's 1921 novel. It is also a sound remake of Cecil B. DeMille's 1922 Manslaughter. Claudette Colbert plays Lydia and Fredric March plays Dan O'Bannon. Archie Stout photographed it, Karl Hajos wrote the music, and Otho Lovering edited. Paramount Publix copyrighted it on 9 August 1930. The New York opening was 23 July 1930. Paramount released a French-language version, The Indictment, directed by Dimitri Buchowetzki.
Themes
Background
A pre-Code Paramount talkie of 1930, remaking DeMille's silent Manslaughter eight years later and adding a French version for export.
Making
Abbott, known for stage work, both adapted and directed this early-sound Paramount picture, one of several language versions the studio spun off the same story.
Look
Archie Stout shot the picture, including the road chase in which Lydia's car kills the pursuing officer.
Music
Karl Hajos wrote the score.
Preservation
An original print is in the UCLA Film and Television Archive.
Notes
- Hilda Vaughn plays the maid, Louise Evans. Emma Dunn plays Miss Bennett. Natalie Moorhead plays Eleanor Bellington.
- The AFI catalog gives a general release date of 9 August 1930, after the New York opening.
- Exhibitors Herald-World covered it in the 26 July 1930 issue.
Scenes
- Lydia, running from a speeding ticket, causes the policeman's death.
- Out of prison, she tries to get Dan fired, then goes back to him.
Influenced by
- Alice Duer Miller's novel Manslaughter (1921)
