Second Choice

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Second Choice
Directed by Howard Bretherton
Produced by Warner Brothers
Written by Elizabeth Alexander(novel)
Joseph Jackson
Starring Dolores Costello
Chester Morris
Cinematography John Stumar
Editing by Robert O. Crandell
Distributed by Warner Brothers
Release dates January 4, 1930 (1930-01-04)
Running time 67 minutes
Country United States
Language English

Second Choice is a 1930 American black-and-white film released by Warner Bros. and starring Dolores Costello and Chester Morris.[1] The film is notable as being the first (and only film) in which Dolores Costello sang.[2] It is a lost film. The film was based on the story by Elizabeth Alexander and was adapted for the screen by Joseph Jackson.

Synopsis

Dolores Costello (as Vallery Grove) is in love with Chester Morris (as Don Warren) but her mother opposes the match because he is poor and has no social standing. Chester decides to terminate his engagement to Dolores after attending a party where he meets a spoiled rich girl who is interested in him. Dolores is later introduced to Jack Mulhall (as Owen Mallory) who informs her that Chester is now planning to marry the spoiled rich girl. Jack, who has himself been recently jilted, and Dolores find comfort in each other and eventually Jack proposes to Dolores. She finally accepts and they elope. Once she is married, Dolores discovers that Chester has broken off his engagement. She becomes uncertain about her love for Jack and while her husband is away on business she invites Chester, who is drunk, into her house.

Cast

Sheet Music for "Second Choice" 1930.

Music

The theme song was called "Life Can Be So Lonesome" and was sung by Dolores Costello in the picture. It was composed by Al Dubin, Joe Burke and M.K Jerome. The theme song was recorded by Debroy Somers for Columbia and released as part of series of recordings known as "Talkie Tunes Medley".[3]

Reception

The New York Times wrote that the director held audiences' attention but said of the film's cast, "Jack Mulhall is miscast as Mallory and gives a halting performance. Miss Costello moves slowly and speaks the pseudo-smart lines with uncertainty. Chester Morris grimmaces as usual and never forgets he is the 'heavy,' and neither does the onlooker."[4] Pittsburgh Press wrote, "When it doesn't try to take itself too seriously, 'Second Choice' ... is what is known in film trade circle as a fairly good 'program' picture." The newspaper said that some dialogue was sometimes "ridiculous" and sometimes "fairly credible". It complained, "If 'Second Choice' had been made as a straight comedy it would have been a much better picture. The combination of comedy, drama and a tinge of melodrama was a little too much for it to swallow."[5]

Preservation

Second Choice is a lost film. No prints are known to exist.

References

  1. ↑ The American Film Institute Catalog Feature Films 1921-30 c.1971 by The American Film Institute
  2. ↑ http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/29840756
  3. ↑ This rendition of the theme song can be heard on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu5ePpPo09Y.
  4. ↑ "'SECOND CHOICE' AT BEACON; Dolores Costello and Chester Morris Star in New Talkie". The New York Times. January 4, 1930. 
  5. ↑ Krug, Karl B (December 28, 1929). "Talkie Lovers in Scramble". Pittsburgh Press. 

External links

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