The Locked Door (1929)

On her first anniversary Ann Reagan finds that her sister-in-law is involved with a shady character from her own past, and determines to intervene.

Director:

George Fitzmaurice

Writers:

Channing Pollock (play), C. Gardner Sullivan (screen adaptation),

Stars:

Rod La Rocque, Barbara Stanwyck, William 'Stage' Boyd

Cast

Cast overview:
Rod La Rocque	...	Frank Devereaux
Barbara Stanwyck	...	Ann Carter
William 'Stage' Boyd	...	Lawrence Reagan
Betty Bronson	...	Helen Reagan
Harry Stubbs	...	The Waiter
Harry Mestayer	...	District Attorney
Mack Swain	...	Hotel Proprietor
Zasu Pitts	...	Telephone Girl (as Zazu Pitts)
George Bunny	...	The Valet
Purnell Pratt	...	Police Officer
Fred Warren	...	Photographer

Storyline

While Ann and the son of her boss are out on a ship beyond the 12-mile limit, which allows liquor to be consumed, the son, Frank makes unwanted advances towards her. While she is fighting him off, the ship is raided and the passengers herded ashore. Eighteen months later Ann is celebrating her one year anniversary to Lawrence Reagan when her young sister-in-law announces she is in love, and it turns out to be Frank. Ann decides to save her husband's sister from a fate worse than death, and goes to Frank's apartment to prevent an elopement. Lawrence also goes to the apartment that night, and everyone is entangled in a crime of passion.

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Plot Keywords:

cuckold | shot to death | gigolo | prohibition | remake | 

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Taglines:

A drama of sacrifice and supreme love

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Genres:

Mystery

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 November 1929 (USA)

Also Known As:

La porta chiusa

Company Credits

Production Co:

George Fitzmaurice Productions, Feature Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

74 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (MovieTone)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Zasu Pitts' first name is spelled "Zazu" in the opening credits.

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Quotes

Ann Carter: You won't gain anything by keeping me here!
Frank Devereaux: Oh, I like you in a temper. I want to hold you close, knowing you don't want to be held.

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Connections

Remake of The Sign on the Door (1921)

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Soundtracks

"I've Got a Feeling I'm Falling"
(uncredited)
Written by Fats Waller and Harry Link
First tune played on the boat

User Reviews

Barbara Stanwyck Talkie Debut

Stagy but clever murder mystery with Barbara Stanwyck in her talkie debut and the center of attention.

The copy I have has a missing scene but this is still an effective if stagy and slightly hammy film.

Stanwyck is a secretary who goes to a boat party with the boss's son and maybe gets raped (that scene is missing) and raided by the police. She and the son skip bail and disappear. 18 months later we find Stanwyck happily married to a wealthy man (William Boyd) when his sister's new boy friend shows up. Yup it's the sleazy son (Rod LaRocque) with a new name. The sister (Betty Bronson) is gaga over him but Stanwyck is horrified.

Stanwyck overhears their plans to run off to Honolulu so she decides to pay LaRocque a visit. But unbeknown to her, her husband is also planning a visit because he has been warned about the boy friend.

Stanwyck arrives at LaRocque's apartment and starts a fight but is interrupted when the husband arrives. The guys scuffle and a gun goes off. Husband leaves and locks the door, trapping Stanwyck (hiding in a bedroom) in the apartment with the corpse. She thinks fast, rips her dress and calls the operator, pretending to fend off an attacker and firing the gun.

Both Stanwyck and Boyd eventually admit to the killing but then Bronson shows up.....

Supporting cast includes Zasu Pitts as the operator, Mack Swain as the manager, George Bunny as the valet, Purnell Pratt is a police man, and Harry Stubbs is the surprising waiter.

Neat little film apparently lost for decades.