There's a written warning at the start of Strange Interlude that lets audiences know they're about to watch a very strange movie. Based off the 6-hour Eugene O'Neill play that was usually performed over the course of two consecutive evenings to spare tired audiences, Strange Interlude is a heavy melodrama that deals with insanity, infidelity, secrets, and unrequited love. As if that's not stylized enough, every character in the movie has a constant internal monologue that runs alongside their outward dialogue. For example, Norma Shearer might say, "How wonderful to see you!" and then the camera lingers on her for a few more seconds as her voice-over says, "Does he still love me?" This is a very odd style, and in all the thousands of movies I've seen, I've never seen one that takes this format.
Once you've gotten used to the very odd and melodramatic style, you can appreciate a very good movie. I usually hate Norma Shearer, and I usually don't like Clark Gable's one-dimensional style, but neither one of them bothered me during this movie. Ralph Morgan, Frank Morgan's lesser-known brother, is given a chance to shine on his own, and even May Robson's overacting works during her few scenes in the beginning. All in all, everyone feeds off each other's energy wonderfully and gives a great performance.
Norma starts the movie newly married to Alexander Kirkland, but she doesn't really love him. Ralph is her longtime friend, but he's always been too shy to tell her how deep his feelings run. When Alex's mother May tells Norma that he has hereditary insanity, Norma panics. Naturally, what's the best thing to do in that situation? Have an affair with your handsome doctor friend and pretend the love child is your husband's. Norma and Clark have great chemistry together, and they bring out the best in each other's acting. This is a pre-Oscar Clark, and it's a rare treat to see him actually acting.
Once you've gotten used to the very odd and melodramatic style, you can appreciate a very good movie. I usually hate Norma Shearer, and I usually don't like Clark Gable's one-dimensional style, but neither one of them bothered me during this movie. Ralph Morgan, Frank Morgan's lesser-known brother, is given a chance to shine on his own, and even May Robson's overacting works during her few scenes in the beginning. All in all, everyone feeds off each other's energy wonderfully and gives a great performance.
Norma starts the movie newly married to Alexander Kirkland, but she doesn't really love him. Ralph is her longtime friend, but he's always been too shy to tell her how deep his feelings run. When Alex's mother May tells Norma that he has hereditary insanity, Norma panics. Naturally, what's the best thing to do in that situation? Have an affair with your handsome doctor friend and pretend the love child is your husband's. Norma and Clark have great chemistry together, and they bring out the best in each other's acting. This is a pre-Oscar Clark, and it's a rare treat to see him actually acting.