Men Are Not Gods (1936)

The young secretary (Miriam Hopkins) to a newspaper's drama critic (A.E.  Matthews) goes to a performance of Shakespeare's OTHELLO and becomes obsessed with the actor (Sebastian Shaw) playing the title role. But the actor is very much married and his wife (Gertrude Lawrence) has befriended the young lady. Directed by Walter Reisch (SONG OF SCHEHERAZADE). Some 11 years before A DOUBLE LIFE (1947), this movie touched on an actor's crossing the line with art and real life. But this strange turn comes out of the blue as we've been watching what appears to be a comedy until then. Frankly, both the wife and the secretary are too good for this narcissistic actor and why either would want him is beyond me. While the star of the film is Hopkins, we have the opportunity to see a solid performance by Gertrude Lawrence whose cinematic output is minimal. There's also a lanky, boyish Rex Harrison role on the edge of stardom in a supporting role. With Sybil Grove and Val Gielgud.