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      The Shining Hour

      Released Nov 18, 1938 1h 16m Drama List
      Reviews 42% 50+ Ratings Audience Score Sick of her life in New York City, nightclub dancer Olivia Riley (Joan Crawford) moves to Wisconsin to marry Henry Linden (Melvyn Douglas), a well-to-do farmer. Complications arise when Olivia and Henry's brother, David (Robert Young), become deeply attracted to each another. David does his best to hide his feelings for Olivia from Henry, but when their coldhearted sister, Hannah (Fay Bainter), learns about the pair's clandestine bond, she'll stop at nothing to keep them apart. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Jun 23 Buy Now

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      Audience Reviews

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      Steve D Great work from a fantastic cast. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/10/24 Full Review Tom M All-star cast wasted on this 'who loves /hates who' movie. Ridiculous ending. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/17/21 Full Review Audience Member Good drama with a gem of a performance from the great Margaret Sullavan. Everyone else is good but she is exceptional. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member joan finds herself caught up in a doomed romance Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Only if I liked you a little lesser or loved you a little more... A New York City nightclub dancer marries a charming man with lots of money. She moves out to the country with her new husband and into his large estate. The estate is also where her sister in-laws live, one sister is married and one sister is miserable and single. The miserable sister makes life practically impossible for the night club dancer who is also being strongly pursued by a lovesick younger man. Will the rich family drive her insane and into the arms of the young lover? "He put a frog in my hair, poured ink on my dress; so naturally, I fell in love with him." Frank Borzage, director of A Farewell to Arms, 7th Heaven, Stage Door Canteen, Three Comrades, China Doll, Strange Cargo, Street Angel, and The Gun Woman, delivers The Shining Hour. The storyline for this picture is fairly straightforward and honestly pretty predictable. The acting is remarkable and the cast includes Joan Crawford, Robert Young, Margaret Sullavan, Melvyn Douglas, Hattie McDaniel, and Frank Albertson. "After the first time things are never as lovely again." I DVR'd this picture off Turner Classic Movies (TCM) because I enjoy watching Joan Crawford flicks. Overall, this was a fun film to watch but is fairly straightforward with little misdirection or intriguing subplots. This is a film I'd probably skip unless you're a Joan Craford fan and I definitely wouldn't add it to my DVD collection. "Stop fighting and let it burn." Grade: B- Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review ashley h The Shining Hour is a great film. Joan Crawford and Margaret Sullivan worked well together. The supporting cast is great too and includes Robert Young and Melvyn Douglas. The screenplay is well written. Frank Borzage does an incredible job directing this movie. The Shining Hour is a must see. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      The Shining Hour

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      Critics Reviews

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      Josephine O'Neill Daily Telegraph (Australia) Worth seeing, for... Margaret Sullavan's heart-catching performance, and those swooningly. superb clothes. Otherwise "The Shining Hour" is one of those suffocating, sophisticated dramas in which people will change partners and talk about their emotions. Oct 14, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Sick of her life in New York City, nightclub dancer Olivia Riley (Joan Crawford) moves to Wisconsin to marry Henry Linden (Melvyn Douglas), a well-to-do farmer. Complications arise when Olivia and Henry's brother, David (Robert Young), become deeply attracted to each another. David does his best to hide his feelings for Olivia from Henry, but when their coldhearted sister, Hannah (Fay Bainter), learns about the pair's clandestine bond, she'll stop at nothing to keep them apart.
      Director
      Frank Borzage
      Production Co
      Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Loew's Inc.
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Nov 18, 1938, Limited
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Jun 23, 2009
      Runtime
      1h 16m
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