The Scoundrel (1935) review

Sharp-tongued publisher Anthony Mallare (Sir Noël Coward) - who has almost nothing positive to say about anyone or anything - agrees to print a book of poems written by Cora Moore (Julie Haydon) and becomes dedicated to breaking up her relationship with Paul (Stanley Ridges) - he wins her over but quickly loses interest, dumps her, dies in a plane crash chasing another woman ... and then he's given the chance to find someone on Earth who will cry for him.  The casting of Coward to deliver Hecht and MacArthur's glorious dialogue couldn't be more perfect - two fine examples: "I don't approve of child labor as a rule, but so much depends on the child" and "I'm sorry I'm so late, but I stopped to throw snowballs at some little boys" - and I like the inclusion of a spiritual element to the finale, where Mallare spends weeks trying to redeem himself.  It's clever and smart in a way I wish modern films would try to be - not to mention briskly told and with all the fat trimmed - and deservedly won its directors the Academy Award for Best Story.