The Cardboard Lover (1928)

A ditzy American girl visiting Monte Carlo is hired by a tennis champ to be his "cardboard lover"--to pretend to be in love with him so he can teach his two-timing fiancé a lesson and win ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Z. Leonard

Writers:

Jacques Deval (play), F. Hugh Herbert,

Stars:

Marion Davies, Jetta Goudal, Nils Asther

Cast

Cast overview:
Marion Davies	...	Sally
Jetta Goudal	...	Simone
Nils Asther	...	Andre
Andrés de Segurola	...	The Baritone
Tenen Holtz	...	Argine
Pepi Lederer	...	Argine

Storyline

A ditzy American girl visiting Monte Carlo is hired by a tennis champ to be his "cardboard lover"--to pretend to be in love with him so he can teach his two-timing fiancé a lesson and win her back. What he doesn't realize is that the girl isn't pretending--she actually is in love with him, and she sets out to win him for herself.

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Plot Keywords:

monte carlo | tennis | based on play

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 September 1928 (USA)

Also Known As:

Her Cardboard Lover

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cosmopolitan Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although Tallulah Bankhead had starred in the London version of the original play and Jeanne Eagels, supported by Leslie Howard, had a success in the American production, neither star won the role in this film version.

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Connections

Version of Her Cardboard Lover (1942)

User Reviews

Marion Davies + Nils Asther = Great Chemistry!

There's no question about it--this is Marion Davies' film all the way (evidenced as well by the opening credit "A Marion Davies Production") and she carries that responsibility beautifully. Yes, her pantomime could at times be considered as "playing to the back row," but the exuberant character she creates in doing so succeeds not only in making us laugh (at times so much that it hurts), but also in creating genuine sympathy; and of course we're rooting for her romantic aspirations to come true.

However, also worthy of much praise is Nils Asther as Davies' leading man. In some of his others silent films I've seen, Asther strikes me as rather dull--exotic, to be sure, but oddly lacking in much charisma. Here, though, he absolutely comes to life in a role that calls for much physical comedy (the scene with the chest plaster is a truly hilarious bit), but also leaves him with his dignity in tact as a romantic lead. He and Davies make an excellent screen couple and they look like they were greatly enjoying their scenes together.

Like many of Marion Davies' MGM comedies, this is film that is unavailable on DVD or home video and is rarely screened. If you ever have the chance to see it live, don't miss the opportunity.