Curator Analysis & Comprehensive Film Review
"The Last of Mrs Cheyney," a 1929 cult classic from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, is a captivating blend of romance, intrigue, and drama, unfolding in a sumptuous Art Deco setting. Directed by Sidney Franklin, this silent film, clocking in at 95 minutes, stars the radiant Norma Shearer and the debonair Basil Rathbone. The narrative tension builds around Shearer's character, Mrs. Cheyney, a woman of mystery and means, who captivates Rathbone's aristocratic but impoverished Sir Richard Thornhill. As the two dance around each other in a whirl of high society balls and secret assignations, the film's visual pacing, with its elegant camera work and expressive use of intertitles, keeps the audience guessing. The film's thematic atmosphere, suggested by its evocative title, delves into the complexities of love, power, and deception, making it a timeless exploration of human nature that continues to captivate audiences even a century after its release.