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True Confession

  • 19371937
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 25m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
John Barrymore, Carole Lombard, and Fred MacMurray in True Confession (1937)
  • Comedy
  • Crime
A lawyer defends his wife, a pathological liar, in a murder trial.A lawyer defends his wife, a pathological liar, in a murder trial.A lawyer defends his wife, a pathological liar, in a murder trial.
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Wesley Ruggles
  • Writers
    • Claude Binyon(screenplay)
    • Louis Verneuil(play "Mon crime")
    • Georges Berr(play "Mon crime")
  • Stars
    • Carole Lombard
    • Fred MacMurray
    • John Barrymore
Top credits
  • Director
    • Wesley Ruggles
  • Writers
    • Claude Binyon(screenplay)
    • Louis Verneuil(play "Mon crime")
    • Georges Berr(play "Mon crime")
  • Stars
    • Carole Lombard
    • Fred MacMurray
    • John Barrymore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 25User reviews
    • 10Critic reviews
    • 73Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro

    • Photos40

    Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray in True Confession (1937)
    Fred MacMurray in True Confession (1937)
    Jack Kennedy and Fred MacMurray in True Confession (1937)
    Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray in True Confession (1937)
    Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray in True Confession (1937)
    John Barrymore and Carole Lombard in True Confession (1937)
    John Barrymore and Fred MacMurray in True Confession (1937)
    Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray in True Confession (1937)
    Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray in True Confession (1937)
    Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray in True Confession (1937)
    Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray in True Confession (1937)
    Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray in True Confession (1937)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Carole Lombard
    Carole Lombard
    • Helen Bartlettas Helen Bartlett
    Fred MacMurray
    Fred MacMurray
    • Kenneth Bartlettas Kenneth Bartlett
    John Barrymore
    John Barrymore
    • Charley Jasperas Charley Jasper
    Una Merkel
    Una Merkel
    • Daisy McClureas Daisy McClure
    Porter Hall
    Porter Hall
    • Mr. Hartmanas Mr. Hartman
    Edgar Kennedy
    Edgar Kennedy
    • Darseyas Darsey
    Lynne Overman
    Lynne Overman
    • Bartenderas Bartender
    Irving Bacon
    Irving Bacon
    • The Coroneras The Coroner
    Fritz Feld
    Fritz Feld
    • Krayler's Butleras Krayler's Butler
    Richard Carle
    Richard Carle
    • Judgeas Judge
    John T. Murray
    John T. Murray
    • Otto Krayleras Otto Krayler
    Tom Dugan
    Tom Dugan
    • McDougallas McDougall
    • (as Tommy Dugan)
    Garry Owen
    Garry Owen
    • Tony Krauchas Tony Krauch
    Toby Wing
    Toby Wing
    • Suzanne Baggartas Suzanne Baggart
    Hattie McDaniel
    Hattie McDaniel
    • Ellaas Ella
    Eleanor Fisher
    • Reporteras Reporter
    Beaudine Anderson
    • Autograph Hunteras Autograph Hunter
    • (uncredited)
    Herbert Ashley
    • Juroras Juror
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Wesley Ruggles
    • Writers
      • Claude Binyon(screenplay)
      • Louis Verneuil(play "Mon crime")
      • Georges Berr(play "Mon crime")
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Helen and Ken are a pretty strange couple. She is a pathological liar, and he is a scrupulously honest (and therefore unsuccessful) lawyer. Helen starts a new job, and when her employer is found dead, all the (circumstantial) evidence points at her. She is put on trial for murder, and her husband defends her. He thinks she is lying again when she says she didn't do it, and insists she plead that she did, but in self defense. Charlie, a shady, odd character who may or may not know something about what really happened, hangs around the courtroom and jail making rude comments and noises. After Helen is acquitted, he tries to blackmail them. —John Oswalt <jao@jao.com>
    • dysfunctional marriage
    • female female relationship
    • perjury
    • true confession
    • congenital liar
    • 19 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Immensely amusing, freshly plotted drama. (Print Ad-Hendricks Pioneer, ((Hendricks, Minn.)) 11 February 1938)
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Crime
    • Certificate
      • Approved
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      David O. Selznick, producer of "Nothing Sacred," was concerned that the release of "True Confession" would harm his film at the box office because both star Carole Lombard as a woman involved in a well-publicized hoax.
    • Goofs
      All entries contain spoilers
    • Quotes

      Ballistic Expert: I got the call about 10 o'clock Wednesday morning from the homicide bureau. I found the defendant, I mean, er, the deceased, laying, er, lying face down on the floor, I mean the rug. So I examined the uh, rug, or, er, uh, the body, and found that death was caused by two bullets, fired into his range, I mean, two bullets fired at close range into his lead, er, head.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Hollywood Hist-o-Rama: Fred MacMurray (1961)
    • Soundtracks
      True Confession
      Music by Friedrich Hollaender (as Frederick Hollander)
      Lyrics by Sam Coslow

    User reviews25

    Review
    Top review
    A rare gem! One of the first, brilliant screwball/black comedies! One of Carole Lombard's daffiest portrayals!
    A witty, original black comedy made at the height of the screwball comedy era of the 1930's. Carole Lombard's role originates the wacky wife that became a staple in films and television. Her efforts to make her husband (Fred MacMurray)a successful lawyer offer a still-relevant critique of what Americans tolerates of people "making it" and "getting ahead" in American society, in addition to sharp, witty comments on the meaning of celebrity in American society. The playing of MacMurray and Lombard as husband and wife is vibrant, sexy, wholly believable. They radiate a sense of joy playing off each other. The teaming of MacMurray, Lombard, and John Barrymore makes for one of the most memorable screen teamings ever. Una Merkel is sharp as Lombard's best friend. Beautiful, sunny, often noirish photography enhances the beauty of the stars and the black aspects of the plot.
    helpful•31
    8
    • caribeno
    • Mar 21, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 24, 1937 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ein Mordsschwindel
    • Filming locations
      • Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 25 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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    John Barrymore, Carole Lombard, and Fred MacMurray in True Confession (1937)
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