Teringer An Exercise In Nonsense

FuzzyTagz If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

SanEat A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

Celia A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

lugonian HEARTS DIVIDED (Warner Brothers, 1936), directed by Frank Borzage, stars Marion Davies (with name above the title) in a costume related story reportedly based on the actual romance of Betsy Patterson and Jerome Bonaparte. Previously filmed by Warners during the silent era as GLORIOUS BETSY (1928) starring Dolores Costello and Conrad Nagel, this newer adaptation, with added score and some comedy, is actually better than anticipated.Set during the early 1800s, Napoleon Bonaparte (Claude Rains) assigns his younger brother, Jerome (Dick Powell) to America as representative for the negotiation for the sale of the state of Louisiana for $20,000. Taking up residence at the Baltimore Inn, Jerome, on his resented "good will tour," comes to the horse races where he becomes enamored by the presence of Betsy Patterson (Marion Davies), a society girl. At first Betsy resents this young man until he croons to her, later assuming the role in the guise as her singing tutor. His identity is finally realized at a reception of the Patterson home where Jerome publicly proposes to Betsy, regardless of his telegram from Napoleon, now Emperor of France, ordering his return to marry Princess Catherine of Wurtemberg or face disgrace as a traitor.Often categorized as a musical, songs for this production are limited to some degree. While HEARTS DIVIDED might have selected popular songs from the colonial era, an original score by Harry Warren and Al Dubin was used instead. New songs include: "My Kingdom for a Kiss" (sung in French by Dick Powell); "Nobody Knows the Trouble I Have Seen" (traditional Negro folk song performed briefly by The Hall Johnson Choir); "My Kingdon For a Kiss" (reprized in French and English by Powell); "Two Lovely Heart's Divided." and "My Kingdom For a Kiss." "My Kingdom for a Kiss," a nice tune, is underscored numerous times, used effectively during scenes involving Davies and Powell.Although Marion Davies is far better suited for comedies than dramas, she makes a lovely presence in this costumer. It's seems unlikely, however, finding resident crooner Dick Powell in early American setting, even more unlikely having him playing a Frenchman. While he does sing a song entirely in French, Powell, along with Rains, make no attempt speaking with French accents. Overall, the Davies and Powell combination, which began with the hit and miss comedy of PAGE MISS GLORY (1935), would come to its conclusion with this historical account and based on fact love story.Edward Everett Horton, Charles Ruggles and Arthur Treacher provide amusing moments with their comical support as members of the United States senate and would-be suitors of Glorious Betsy. Straightforward performances go to Henry Stephenson as Betsy's father; Clara Blandick as Betsy's spinster aunt; and Beulah Bondi with only one scene as Bonaparte's mother. Hobart Cavanaugh, Walter Kingsford, Etienne Girardot and Philip Hurlic can be seen in smaller roles.Regardless of his British heritage, Claude Rains physically makes a fine Napoleon, a role enacted in more detail by Charles Boyer in CONQUEST (MGM, 1937), earning the born Frenchman an Academy Award nomination. No such honor for Rains here, but although his scenes are somewhat limited, he makes every moment count, especially later in the story where, in the manner of a mother coming between her son and future bride, asking Betsy, for the good of France, to give up his brother, but it is Davies as Betsy, under Borzage's sensitive direction, who nearly overcomes Rains performance in how she handles this situation.Reportedly previewed at 88 minutes, circulating prints for available at 76 minutes, making one hope for the discovery of the missing footage. A rarely seen item from the era of Warner Brothers musicals or costume dramas, HEARTS DIVIDED can be seen periodically on Turner Classic Movies. (***)

samhill5215 Once again here's another Marion Davies film totally undeserving of its vote. As of this writing it was an astounding 7.8, a testament to the repetitious fervor of Miss Davies' fans. It appears to me that artificially elevating her scores does her disservice. She was a fine comedian and a commendable person but there were also several turkeys in her career and this is one of them. Leaving aside the utter lack of any historical authenticity apart from names and places this one is a real TURKEY. It tries to be a comedy but the jokes are tired old slapstick delivered by actors who appeared to be there for the paycheck. It tries to be a romance but there's no chemistry between Powell and Davies. There's just nothing there other than Claude Rains who is as always the master. But even he is not enough to save this TURKEY.

mke I don't generally obsess over the historic errors in films, especially comedies. That may be why I was able to enjoy this picture and the many fine performances. Claude Rains as Napoleon was particularly good. In fact his performance here was the most complex and interesting portrayal of Napoleon I recall seeing which is impressive given the generally humorous tone of the film.While far from a classic this is a fine movie with many good lines and a very talented cast.

Ken Peters (wireshock) Imagine Dick Powell--the all-American charmer--as Napoleon's brother! Have him serenade--didn't you know Jerome Napoleon was a crooner!--Marion Davies, miscast as his beautiful young American sweetheart. Add a romantic score in an attempt to lend credence to their implausible pairing and you end up with this misguided misadventure in movie-making. Everything in this picture rings as false as the fake "Sicilian" nose pasted onto Claude Rains' face. The picture's premise is that Napoleon's brother threw away everything, sacrificing the opportunity to become a King by marriage--thereby extending Napoleon's empire--to marry his true love, sweet Betsy Patterson. Faithful to this vision, the picture ends with star-crossed lovers Powell and Davies--reunited after a "Hearts Divided" separation forced by Napoleon--in each others' arms once again set to live happily ever after in America. But the historical Jerome Bonaparte was in truth an opportunist who actually DIVORCED this first American wife in order to go through with the politically-motivated pairing and become King of Westphalia! The movie is a handsome production, but the script expects everyone to mouth the most ridiculous platitudes about class, duty, patriotism, "true love", etc. ad nauseum--all played straight. In the best Hollywood tradition, Dick Powell courts Marion Davies disguised as her lowly tutor, only to reveal his true "imperial" self after she casts aside all trepidation about marrying below her station. But who really believes that American society would hold the brother of a military dictator in such high esteem? All of the classic elements of a great Hollywood romance are here, only the plot and actors are really just going through the motions against this implausible historical backdrop--and we the audience aren't fooled one bit.