George Kelly's brilliant 1924 play, Craig's Wife, has been well served by the movies. While the silent film has been lost, we have the Joan Crawford vehicle,Harriet Craig, (produced after the play's revival in the 1940s) and the even finer and far more faithful 1936 Craig's Wife. The cast is perfect, from Rosalind Russell to John Hamilton (in a small uncredited role).
Our protagonist, happy husband Walter Craig finds out that his wife never entered into marriage honestly (as he did), but played it safe. Indeed, Harriet explains her view of marriage "without romantic illusions". Harriet tried to avoid what destroyed her mother's life. She believed that she could secure her home and safety by dominating her husband (without letting him know that he is being manipulated). Harriet never realized that if one marries the wrong man, there is no protection. She never realized that she had no need to protect herself from Walter Craig, a man who adored her.
Walter's aunt warns him, in an attempt to remake him into a man who will not be dominated. Walter dismisses this as hyperbole, but remembers it. The plot device that shows Harriet's hand is a double murder of a friend of Walter's (along with the friend's wife). Walter learns the truth. Harriet's manipulation of the members of her household causes them to leave. Walter's life fell apart, but because he can only play a romantic part and isn't the type to be lord and master, he leaves along with the others. Then something magic happens.
Harriet is now alone. All along we hated her. Now Harriet is shattered and we cry our eyes out for her. Her flaws were not out of malice, but ignorance. We want to tell her that she should go to her husband and tell him that she realizes she had everything wrong. Mrs. Frazier, the widowed neighbor, whom Harriet spurned, offers sympathy and leaves. Harriet in desperation, races after her and realizes that she is all alone. She is shattered. So are we. One has nothing left to do but applaud with all one's might.
Our protagonist, happy husband Walter Craig finds out that his wife never entered into marriage honestly (as he did), but played it safe. Indeed, Harriet explains her view of marriage "without romantic illusions". Harriet tried to avoid what destroyed her mother's life. She believed that she could secure her home and safety by dominating her husband (without letting him know that he is being manipulated). Harriet never realized that if one marries the wrong man, there is no protection. She never realized that she had no need to protect herself from Walter Craig, a man who adored her.
Walter's aunt warns him, in an attempt to remake him into a man who will not be dominated. Walter dismisses this as hyperbole, but remembers it. The plot device that shows Harriet's hand is a double murder of a friend of Walter's (along with the friend's wife). Walter learns the truth. Harriet's manipulation of the members of her household causes them to leave. Walter's life fell apart, but because he can only play a romantic part and isn't the type to be lord and master, he leaves along with the others. Then something magic happens.
Harriet is now alone. All along we hated her. Now Harriet is shattered and we cry our eyes out for her. Her flaws were not out of malice, but ignorance. We want to tell her that she should go to her husband and tell him that she realizes she had everything wrong. Mrs. Frazier, the widowed neighbor, whom Harriet spurned, offers sympathy and leaves. Harriet in desperation, races after her and realizes that she is all alone. She is shattered. So are we. One has nothing left to do but applaud with all one's might.