Sinners in the Sun (1932)
Carole Lombard in a Film of "The Beach Comber"
By Mordaunt Hall
Published: May 14, 1932
Feminine fashions, fast automobiles and fine wines come to the fore in the course of the happenings in "Sinners in the Sun," a pictorial adaptation of Mildred Cram's story, "The Beachcomber," which is now at the Paramount. In screen form it is a lavishly produced, trivial story with an abundance of acrimony. Carole Lombard and Chester Morris are the principals, other rôles being acted by Adrienne Ames, Alison Skipworth and Walter Byron.
It is the old tale of the lure of money and its taking second place to love. Doris Blake, played by Miss Lombard, is the stellar fashion model in a dressmaking establishment. It is presumed that this lovely girl rejects an offer of marriage from Jimmie Martin, a garage mechanic, because she has hopes of making a better match. She admits loving Martin, but the daily routine of wearing costly gowns causes her to long to own some of the creations. Her parents are of humble origin. She encounters a married man named Eric Nelson, while in swimming at East Hampton, whither she goes to appear in one of those extraordinary motion picture Long Island fashion shows. Nelson's motives are strictly dishonorable, but he expects that his wife will soon ask for a divorce.
As for Martin, he meets one day the beautiful Claire Kinkaid, a socially prominent young woman, who engages him to be her chauffeur. It is not long before she acknowledges a devotion to Martin and the two are married. Soon the mechanic, whose speech is not precisely of the higher order, finds himself ill at ease as the husband of the wealthy woman.
Doris is a constant companion of Nelson's. She scorns to become his mistress, but she accepts his supper parties, an apartment and other luxuries. One is asked to believe that all this time she is still in love with Martin and he with her.
Of course, as is anticipated, Martin and Doris are reunited at the end, glad to get away from their wealthy companions.
In the fashion show there are several pretty girls besides Doris, and they are arrayed in gay sartorial creations. While this display is going on, Martin and another chauffeur look on at the passing models, and Martin is heartsick when he perceives his old sweetheart.
It is all more than slightly incredible, particularly the manner in which Claire Kinkaid sets her cap at Martin. Miss Lombard acts competently. Mr. Morris is miscast. In spite of her thankless rôle, Miss Ames does efficient work. Miss Skipworth makes the most of the part of Doris's sympathetic mother and Walter Byron is capable as Nelson.
Frances Williams is featured in a condensed stage version of the musical comedy "Everybody's Welcome," which is a skittish conception of the play "Up Pops the Devil." Others in this attraction are Ann Pennington, Lawrence Gray, Jack Sheehan and Harriet Lane.
SINNERS IN THE SUN, based on Mildred Cram's story. "The Beachcomber"; directed by Alexander Hall; produced by Paramount Publix. At the Times Square Paramount and the Brooklyn Paramount.
Doris Blake . . . . . Carole Lombard
Jimmie Martin . . . . . Chester Morris
Claire Kinkaid . . . . . Adrienne Ames
Mrs. Blake . . . . . Alison Skipworth
Eric Nelson . . . . . Walter Byron
Mr. Blake . . . . . Reginald Barlow
Mrs. Florence Nelson . . . . . Zita Moulton
Ridgeway . . . . . Cary Grant
Grandfather Blake . . . . . Luke Cosgrave
Grandmother Blake . . . . . Ida Lewis
Fred Blake . . . . . Russ Clark
Mrs. Fred Blake . . . . . Frances Moffett
Louis . . . . . Pierre De Ramey
Emma . . . . . Veda Buckland
Lil . . . . . Rita La Roy
