Private Worlds

Private Worlds is a 1935 drama film which tells the story of the staff and patients at a mental hospital, and the chief of the hospital who has problems dealing with a female psychiatrist. The film stars Claudette Colbert, Charles Boyer, Joel McCrea, Joan Bennett, and Helen Vinson. The movie was written by Phyllis Bottome, Gregory La Cava and Lynn Starling, and was directed by La Cava. Cinematographer Leon Shamroy used early zoom lenses to create special effects for the film. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress (Claudette Colbert). The film is based on a story by novelist Phyllis Bottome who has had several of her works transferred to film, such as The Mortal Storm (MGM, 1940).