Watch Evelyn Prentice

Evelyn Prentice is a 1934 American crime drama directed by William K. Howard, starring William Powell, Myrna Loy, and Una Merkel. The movie tells the story of a wealthy attorney, John Prentice (William Powell), who neglects his wife, Evelyn (Myrna Loy), in favor of his career. John is a highly successful lawyer and has many clients, including Mrs. Harrison (Rosalind Russell), who is infatuated with him.

Evelyn, feeling lonely and neglected, begins a friendship with a charming and wealthy artist, Lawrence Kennard (Harvey Stephens). John becomes jealous of Evelyn's friendship with Kennard and confronts him, warning him to stay away from his wife. However, Evelyn and Kennard continue to see each other in secret, and when Kennard confesses his love for her, she resists his advances and breaks off their relationship.

One night, Kennard is found dead in his apartment, and Evelyn becomes the prime suspect in his murder. John, desperate to save his wife, takes on her defense, much to the chagrin of his colleagues, who warn him that the case will ruin his reputation. As John gathers evidence and interviews potential witnesses, he begins to uncover a web of lies and deceit that implicates several people, including Mrs. Harrison and Kennard's former lover (Una Merkel).

Throughout the trial, John struggles to balance his duty as a lawyer and his love for his wife, who reveals that she did visit Kennard on the night of his murder, but did not kill him. As the trial reaches its climax, John delivers a powerful closing argument that finally uncovers the true murderer, leading to a dramatic conclusion.

The movie features outstanding performances from Powell and Loy, whose chemistry and onscreen presence make the audience care deeply about their characters. The movie also boasts a strong supporting cast, with Una Merkel standing out in her role as Kennard's former lover, who becomes a key witness in the trial. The movie's direction and cinematography are excellent, with the film's dark and moody atmosphere setting a compelling tone that draws the viewer into the story.

Evelyn Prentice is a well-crafted crime drama that showcases the talents of its lead actors while delivering a tense and captivating story. Its exploration of the themes of infidelity, murder, and betrayal is handled delicately, making for a movie that is engaging and suspenseful. While the movie may not be as well known as some of Powell and Loy's other collaborations, it remains a standout example of early Hollywood crime dramas and is well worth a watch for fans of the genre.

Evelyn Prentice is a 1934 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.