Infame Lügen (1936)

Infame Lügen: Directed by William Wyler. With Miriam Hopkins, Merle Oberon, Joel McCrea, Catherine Doucet. Two school teachers and the man they both love face ruin when a malicious student cooks up a lie.

“Rarely, if ever, do I rate the child as the star of a film, but Bonita Granville is very, very good as the odious, obnoxious, hateful, spiteful, spoiled u0026quot;Maryu0026quot; in this story of two teachers – Merle Oberon and Miriam Hopkins – who fall for the doctor – Joel McCrea. When these old friends try to discipline the ghastly child for persistent lateness, she flees to her wealthy grandmother and concocts a story designed to destroy their careers and their happiness. Itu0026#39;s a simple story, well told, that conveys clearly the perils of telling lies. The lead performances are super, and well supported by Catherine Doucet; Alma Kruger as the doting grandmother and u0026quot;Miss Gulchu0026quot; herself – Margaret Hamilton – as the maid who sees through the child right from the outset. There are some fairly hefty alterations to Lillian Hellmanu0026#39;s original play; the relationship between the women is entirely platonic in the film which was not the case on stage, but thatu0026#39;s no great surprise given the commercial necessities of the time and it is still well worth a watch.”