True Confession

Delightful screwball comedy, with the delectable Lombard as a compulsive liar who causes husband MacMurray no end of embarrassment with her inventions (a lawyer with boy scout principles, he doesn't take kindly to being described to neighbours as insane, dead or a drug addict). Duly contrite, she confesses to a murder in the hope of furthering his career, on the blithe assumption that with hubby on hand to defend her - only he proves not so hot as a criminal lawyer - she is sure to get off. Invention flags latterly, with a particularly weak ending, but the performances are wonderful, not least Barrymore as the ghoulishly bizarre killer.