UNHOLY LOVE

Joyce Compton and Lyle Talbot

UNHOLY LOVE (1932). Director: Albert Ray. 

Sheila (Joyce Compton of Dark Alibi) meets a young doctor named Jerry Gregory (Lyle Talbot) when he ministers to her dying father, a gardener. It isn't long before the couple are married, a distressing notion to Jerry's father, Daniel (H. B. Warner of Kidnapped), who has to give the bad news to the woman Jerry's practically engaged to, Jane (Lila Lee), and her mother (Kathlyn Williams). However Jane is a compassionate adult woman who is nice to Sheila whereas others from society shun her. Sheila shows her true colors when she doesn't resist the romantic entreaties of oily writer Alex Stockmar (Ivan Lebedeff of The Mystery of Mr. Wong) and the two embark upon an affair. Meanwhile Sheila's debts are increasing, Alex might be losing interest in her, and her foolish husband hasn't a clue -- but daddy does. 

Unholy Love is a very loose, Americanized version of Flaubert's Madame Bovary, and it is more of a curiosity than anything else, although it holds the attention. H. B. Warner offers the best performance as the wise and understanding father, with Lila Lee and Lebedeff offering fine support. The biggest problem I have with Joyce Compton is that she looks and sounds a bit too much like a slightly prettier version of Una Merkel (!) to make a convincing sexpot. Lyle Talbot, billed as "Lysle" Talbot, is pretty much the same rather dull fellow as ever. Jason Robards Sr. plays a sleazy character who also has his eyes on Sheila. 

Verdict: Read the excellent original or watch the 1949 version with Jennifer Jones instead. **1/2