The theme of this movie is a common one, but I thought this version of the story was oddly sweet and heartbreaking. Unlike the Joan Crawford remake, Harriet Craig, (which TCM showed immediately after Craig's Wife...thank you, TCM!!) I don't think the Harriet in Craig's Wife is evil. Instead, I saw her as a flawed, but sympathetic character.
Her need for perfection was rooted in insecurity and the overwhelming need for control. She had a husband who adored her, yet she was obsessed with a vase and roses that might drop their petals.
Rosalind Russell portrayed this complex character wonderfully. It's easy to see why her career took off with this movie. Russell drew me into Harriet's world and made me feel a bit sorry for Harriet. The little nuances of Russell's portrayal are what made this such a great performance: the gentle way her fingers touched the objects in her home and the way her eyes showed every emotion and spotted every detail of her home. Brilliant.
The costumes worn by Russell just enhanced the character of Harriet. The dresses were simply stunning and the details on them emphasized Harriet's need for complete control.
John Boles did an excellent job playing Walter, but his character wasn't nearly as well developed. I didn't really believe how quickly his character changed from adoring his wife to walking out on her. This transformation was much more believable in the remake. This is not the fault of Boles, but of the script. I thoroughly enjoyed his performance.
The supporting cast who played the neighbor, the servants and the niece were also top notch. Although I thought the message of the movie was a bit heavy handed during the final scene, I absolutely loved this movie and look forward to seeing it again.
Her need for perfection was rooted in insecurity and the overwhelming need for control. She had a husband who adored her, yet she was obsessed with a vase and roses that might drop their petals.
Rosalind Russell portrayed this complex character wonderfully. It's easy to see why her career took off with this movie. Russell drew me into Harriet's world and made me feel a bit sorry for Harriet. The little nuances of Russell's portrayal are what made this such a great performance: the gentle way her fingers touched the objects in her home and the way her eyes showed every emotion and spotted every detail of her home. Brilliant.
The costumes worn by Russell just enhanced the character of Harriet. The dresses were simply stunning and the details on them emphasized Harriet's need for complete control.
John Boles did an excellent job playing Walter, but his character wasn't nearly as well developed. I didn't really believe how quickly his character changed from adoring his wife to walking out on her. This transformation was much more believable in the remake. This is not the fault of Boles, but of the script. I thoroughly enjoyed his performance.
The supporting cast who played the neighbor, the servants and the niece were also top notch. Although I thought the message of the movie was a bit heavy handed during the final scene, I absolutely loved this movie and look forward to seeing it again.