True Confession (1937)

A pathological liar (Carole Lombard) is married to a struggling lawyer (Fred MacMurray) who hates liars! She confesses to a murder she didn't commit so her husband can defend her and make a name for himself after he acquits her. But she gets more than she bargained for! Based on the play MON CRIME by Georges Berr and Louis Verneuil and directed by Wesley Ruggles (I'M NO ANGEL). This screwball comedy with with a macabre sense of wit is fairly enjoyable. Lombard is still manic but somehow the mannerisms which are insufferable in comedies like TWENTIETH CENTURY and MY MAN GODFREY work for her character here. Frequent co-star MacMurray once again proves a perfect foil for her. Add John Barrymore in a flashy performance that threatens to venture into ham territory at any minute and you've got yourself a pleasant slice of entertainment. Remade in 1946 with Betty Hutton in Lombard's old role. With Una Merkel, Porter Hall, Hattie McDaniel and Edgar Kennedy.