Confession (1937): Cast & Plot
Confession is a 1937 crime drama directed by Joe May, starring Kay Francis as Vera Kowalska, Basil Rathbone and Dorothy Peterson. It runs 1 hour 27 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 27m (87 min)
- Director
- Joe May
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Confession About?
The premise of Confession without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A tale of heartbreak written in blood and tears unfolds as Vera Kowalska stands trial for the murder of celebrated concert pianist Michael Michailow. During the proceedings, startling testimony reveals that years earlier Michael had devastated Vera’s life, fueling a desperate quest for vengeance that now puts her fate in the hands of the court.
Confession Themes & Keywords
· 32 tags- down on her luck
- francis and hunter
- foreign language adaptation
- remake of austrian film
- warsaw poland
- singer
- train station
- murder
- suitcase
- war injury
- soldier
- judge
+20 more Show fewer
- divorce
- cabaret
- music student
- seduction
- restaurant
- confession
- opera
- pianist
- concert
- actor
- remake
- reputation
- self sacrifice
- theater
- world war one
- infidelity
- trial
- actress
- melodrama
- mother daughter relationship
Confession Cast & Characters
Kay Francis leads the cast as Vera Kowalska, with Basil Rathbone as Michael Michailow and Dorothy Peterson as Mrs. Koslov. Directed by Joe May; 36 actors are credited in all.
- Director Joe May
- Kay Francis as Vera Kowalska
-
Basil Rathbone as Michael Michailow - Dorothy Peterson as Mrs. Koslov
- Jane Bryan as Lisa Koslov
Also Starring in Confession
· 32 more- Dawn Bender Lisa as a Baby (uncredited)
- Mary Maguire Hildegard
- Donald Crisp Presiding Judge
- Ian Hunter Leonide Kirow
- Robert Barrat Prosecuting Attorney
- Leo White Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Pierre Watkin Lawyer Stagoff (uncredited)
- Stuart Holmes Policeman in Court (uncredited)
- Glen Cavender Bailiff (uncredited)
- Jack Chefe Man Outside Vera's Dressing Room (uncredited)
- Dale Van Sickel Diner in Cabaret (uncredited)
- Leyland Hodgson Leading Man in Opera (uncredited)
- Ben Welden Defense Attorney
- Ellinor Vanderveer Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Alphonse Martell Maitre d'Hotel (uncredited)
- Jeffrey Sayre
Show all 36 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Sam Ash Waiter (uncredited)
- Henry Roquemore Fat Man in Court (uncredited)
- Theodore Lorch Man in Court (uncredited)
- Veda Ann Borg Xenia
- Maurice Cass Music Professor (uncredited)
- Lawrence Grant Doctor (uncredited)
- Lane Chandler
- Ferdinand Munier Bald Man in Theatre Seat #1 (uncredited)
- Joan Valerie Wanda
- Symona Boniface
- Laura Hope Crews Stella
- Anderson Lawler Reporter (uncredited)
- Bernard Siegel Theatre Doorman (uncredited)
- Adele St. Mauer Koslovs' Maid (uncredited)
- Maurice Brierre
- Jewel Jordan Autograph Fan (uncredited)
More from Joe May
More films directed by Joe May: Johnny Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, You’re Not So Tough, The House of the Seven Gables and The Invisible Man Returns.
Confession Plot Summary
What happens in Confession from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In a European city in the year 1930, the 17-year-old music student Lisa Koslov sees her mother off at the train station. An envelope handed to her contains two tickets to a piano concert that she suspects come from a well-dressed man who seems to be following her. Her friend Hildegard persuades her to go, and at the recital the man is revealed to be the renowned pianist Michael Michailow. On Lisa’s behalf, Hildegard accepts Michailow’s dinner invitation to her, despite misgivings. Michailow moves with practiced charm, insisting on his loneliness and begging to see her again the next day. When Lisa attends her conservatory lessons instead, she discovers he has manipulated the professor to position himself as her tutor.
Full summary
The whole story of Confession, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Confession?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the 17‑year‑old music student who receives the concert tickets?
Confession Also Known As
2 alternative titles: “Εξομολόγησις” and “自白”.
- Also known as
-
- Εξομολόγησις
- 自白
Seen Confession?
Movies Like Confession
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Confessions, Confession and The Confession.
Confession FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Confession, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Confession?
Confession runs 1 hour 27 minutes (87 minutes).
When was Confession released?
Confession was released on August 18, 1937.
Who directed Confession?
Confession was directed by Joe May.
More films by Joe May Who is in the cast of Confession?
Confession stars Kay Francis as Vera Kowalska, Basil Rathbone as Michael Michailow and Dorothy Peterson as Mrs. Koslov, among 36 credited actors.
Does Confession have a post-credit scene?
No. Confession has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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