Lack of good storyline.

Great Film overall

Don't listen to the negative reviews

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

Claudette Colbert is so adorable! I know Clara Bow was called the "It Girl," but Claudette Colbert was easily the prettiest, cutest, classiest, most charming actress of the 1930s. And she always wore such beautiful clothes!In Manslaughter, Claudette plays a spoiled, callous rich girl who enjoys getting her way as often as she does. At a party, she meets and falls in love with Fredric March, the district attorney. Although they are very attracted to each other, their moral outlooks are quite different. Freddie chastises her for bribing a police officer, and she encourages him to skip work in order to party all night long. Then, when Claudette's reckless behavior lands her in court, their love is tested.It's always so fun to watch pre-code films, and flirtations run off Claudette's tongue effortlessly. The very end is a little silly, but the rest of the movie is a very entertaining drama. If you like early talkies that still carry the feel of silent films, like using title cards and no background music, check this out and get ready to fall in love with Claudette Colbert!

For a 1930 film the picture quality was surprisingly good,most impressive was the crash scene ,where Colberts reckless driving causes the death and leads to her conviction. Considering this was a very early performance by her ,she plays the part very well- portraying a lack of sensitivity but without being malicious As good as she is ,I have to reluctantly admit that March steals the show -his pain and torment fill up the screen

Paramount had high hopes for Claudette when she was signed in 1928. She had, by bad luck, been in a string of unsuccessful Broadway plays (except for "The Barker") and was now eager to try her hand at the movies. Before "Manslaughter" it hadn't looked promising - she had supported Edward G. Robinson in a very creaky stage bound crime movie, then played "the girl" as Maurice Chevalier went through his bag of tricks in "The Big Pond" and was also in the French language version of "Slightly Scarlet". But when Clara Bow's personal problems forced Paramount to replace her with Claudette in the upcoming "Manslaughter", Colbert grabbed the meaty role with both hands. It may have been an out-dated melodrama but with credentials that included being a remake of a Cecil B. DeMille silent blockbuster, it was a chance for her to tackle an A class production.Lydia Thorne (Colbert) is a spoiled rich girl who is heedless of the sober advice of her beloved aunt "Bennie" (Emma Dunn) as she sets out for a wild week-end in her roadster!! And what a ride it is, weaving in between traffic, racing a train, bribing an officer who tries to give her a ticket - she is riding for a fall!! She meets up and coming D.A. Dan O'Bannon (Frederic March) who around the dinner table espouses his views of justice for rich and poor alike - it doesn't go down too well with the country club set. Reality starts to filter into Lydia's privileged life - the young officer goes to O'Bannon with Lydia's bracelet claiming she tried to use it as a bribe, then her maid is found to have robbed the safe which contains Lydia's jewels, Lydia says the jewels don't mean a thing to her and she will go to the trial to testify in Louisa's defense but she forgets and the maid is sentenced to years imprisonment. Then there is another episode of "race the policeman", Lydia jack-knifes her car hoping to send the same young constable sprawling!! He does but unfortunately is pronounced dead at the hospital and suddenly Lydia finds herself facing a manslaughter charge and years in prison!!Claudette really rose to the occasion once Lydia dropped her flippancy and put on her "martyred" mantel and also showed why she was a bit different from other Paramount stars of the time (Bow, Carroll, Chatterton) - she was believable in what ever she was given and didn't seem to make bad career choices as far as parts went. In prison Lydia comes face to face with her maid who after becoming involved in a prison brawl, extends a helping hand.Lydia leaves prison (after 3 years) chastened but believing that Dan had promotional motives for sending her "up the river" - not realising he put his job on the line to secure her a pardon and she is now striving to get Louise released. An excellent film and as usual Claudette is just terrific in a demanding role.Highly Recommended.

Depression moviegoers got a 2-for-1 treat with this melodrama. A festive romance, complete with water skiing and dance parties highlight the first half. An effective and convincing set up for the 'manslaughter' to follow.Claudete Colbert is mesmerizing as the unrepentant poor-little-rich-girl Lydia Thorne. She is too busy enjoying life's party to feel her conscience, bribing a cop rather than accept a speeding ticket. And when her maid is convicted of stealing her jewels, Lydia's bridge game is more important than a kind word to the judge. A word that would bring years of freedom to her maid's life.Enter straight shooting District Attourney Dan O'Bannon (Frederic March). He's busy schmoozing political heavyweights with "equal justice for rich and poor" when he falls under Lydia's spell.Miss Colbert literally sparkles in Archie Stout's photography. Principally backlit, her satin gown and diamond necklace shimmer in the star filter and complete the trap for O'Bannon and viewer alike. Lots of overhead and dolly shots keep the eye-candy coming. This beautifully mounted production gives no clue why Mr. Stout would be doing the cheapo John Wayne westerns 3 years later. Amazingly, Archie Stout would go onto shoot the sumptuously photographed Angel And The Badman for Wayne years later! An automobile accident (not a run over pedestrian as suggested above) triggers the second half of the film and the regeneration of our heroine, and not without delicious plot twists and turns.Great performances and production make this a must see for the avid talkie buff. And Claudette Colbert fans will be well pleased to find her already in top gear.