The Dark Angel

Too often romantic melodramas sink beneath the suds of their soapy stories, but The Dark Angel is that rare thing, a first rate heart tugger that remains remarkably good drama. Granted, Angel definitely strains credulity when looked at dispassionately. There's a bit too much coincidence in places, and the noble self-sacrificing actions of the hero would smack of masochism in the real world. But Angel isn't about the real world; it's about the emotional world, a fantasy land where Fate (with a capital "F") simply cannot be thwarted and where the dictates of the heart are the only laws that matter. For those viewers willing to fall head first into this world, Angel is a glorious way to pass the time. Even those who may be resistant to giving in can enjoy the stunning beauty of Merle Oberon, an actress whose performances were a bit hit-or-miss but who was never less than lovely. It's a bonus that Angel contains one of her finest performances. Even better are Fredric March and Herbert Marshall, two very fine actors who are in peak form here. The age difference between Marshall and Oberon is a bit offputting, as they are supposed to be basically contemporaries, but this is a small flaw. Sidney Franklin's direction is solid, the production values are top notch and Gregg Toland's cinematography is striking. And even after these many years, the climactic scene, as manipulative as it is, is powerful. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide