SimonJack "Evelyn Prentice" is a different film in more ways than one. It's the only real heavy drama piece of the more than dozen movies that William Powell and Myrna Loy made together. And, it's the only one in which Loy's character was the bigger role. She performs it marvelously. It's also out of the character of the Thin Man series and most of the rest of the Powell-Loy pairings which were comedy-crime films or genuine mysteries. IMDb lists this as a drama, mystery and romance. It's a mystery in which the audience in let in on most of the goings-on. So much so, that one can guess the outcome without too much difficulty. So, it doesn't' rank up there with the good mysteries of the period or with the very clever and intriguing Agatha Christie whodunits. But this film has something else that I haven't noticed anyone else comment about. Many call it a romance, but it's more than that. The plot involves a couple – Powell and Loy, who play John and Evelyn Prentice, who are very much in love with each other. Viewers will be quick to notice the workaholic in John, and the developing martyrdom persona of Evelyn. But one very different thing that I noticed about the film was the role of Evelyn's friend, Amy Drexel, played very well by Una Merkel. Some friend! She know that John and Evelyn are deeply in love. Yet, when she sees a handsome man (Lawrence Kennard played by Harvey Stephens) show interest in Evelyn, she encourages Evelyn to see him. We know of Evelyn's true love for John because of her apprehensions and decisions to end her innocent meetings with Lawrence. And, we see the outcome. So, this film makes a point – intentional or otherwise – about one's friends. There's an old saying from years ago in the national campaign against drunken driving. "Friends don't let friends drive drunk." Well, a similar one might apply here, in the plot of this film. "Friends don't encourage friends to step out on spouses they love." Another might be, "Friends don't tempt friends to be unfaithful."There's not a lot of intrigue here, but it's a very good drama with excellent performances by all, especially Loy. Definitely worth seeing. And an especially goof film to watch with friends. And, then raise the point afterwards.

cbryce59 I like Myrna Loy, so I watched this today on tape. Mostly good acting, except for the child, who was insufferable to me...I had to fast forward through those parts, but I hardly ever can bear child actors; still, she was especially grating.The story was good...but as with so many of these films from the 30's and 40's, I only enjoy about the first 80% due to the way they were forced to wrap them up. The ending here was a little more creative than some others, but still awfully pat.The one outfit worn by Una Merkel was just too much, the white with the black wing collar-thing...I couldn't stop looking at it, so missed the whole scene pretty much. Wow that was a scene stealer. Surprised Myrna let her get away with that.

J. Spurlin Evelyn Prentice (Myrna Loy) is the neglected wife of a prominent lawyer (William Powell) who briefly takes up with his beautiful client (Rosalind Russell). When Evelyn finds out, she does her own dallying with a conniving poet and playwright (Harvey Stephens) who has a jealous girlfriend (Isabel Jewell). Evelyn's ditsy friend and house guest (Una Merkel) acts as confidant when the dalliance turns disastrous and Evelyn finds herself involved in blackmail and murder. Now, her marriage and the future happiness of her little daughter (Cora Sue Collins) are in jeopardy.This courtroom mystery could have stood fewer melodramatic contrivances, especially toward the end, but the dialogue and characterizations are strong. Far stronger, however, are the remarkable performances from everyone involved. Myrna Loy's quiet desperation is utterly convincing. Powell, good throughout, is especially deft after discovering a stunning secret during the climactic courtroom trial: without a trace of ham, he genuinely looks as if he is about to keel over from shock, as he is forced to go on. Isabel Jewell, eschewing all phony theatrics, is remarkably good during her testimony at the end. Cora Sue is charming as the little girl. These performances distract us from the occasional creaks and groans in the plot and make the movie worth seeing.

whpratt1 This is a great 1934 film which had a great deal of mystery and entertainment right to the very end of the film. John Prentice, (William Powell), played the role as a very famous lawyer who was always busy with plenty of his clients and his wife was, Evelyn Prentice, (Myrna Loy). Evelyn Prentice had a small daughter and the family was very happy, but John was constantly busy all the time and Evelyn is approached by a man who seems to charm her and tempt her into some sort of a relationship with him. At the same time, John defended a very rich client and was able to free her from any judgments in a car accident and this client showered John with all kinds of affection and wanted to have an affair with him. There is a murder which occurs and turns this film completely around and takes the story in another direction. Please don't miss this film, it is just plain great to view and enjoy with great acting by Myrna Loy and William Powell.