Their Own Desire (1929)

Lally is a rich girl whose Father who writes books and plays Polo. After 23 years of marriage, Father decides to divorce Harriet, his wife, and marry Mrs. Chevers who is also divorcing her ... See full summary »

Director:

E. Mason Hopper

Writers:

Sarita Fuller (from the novel by), Frances Marion (screen play),

Stars:

Norma Shearer, Belle Bennett, Lewis Stone

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Norma Shearer	...	Lally
Belle Bennett	...	Harriet
Lewis Stone	...	Marlett
Robert Montgomery	...	Jack
Helene Millard	...	Beth
Cecil Cunningham	...	Aunt Caroline
Henry Hebert	...	Uncle Nate
Mary Doran	...	Suzanne
June Nash	...	Mildred

Storyline

Lally is a rich girl whose Father who writes books and plays Polo. After 23 years of marriage, Father decides to divorce Harriet, his wife, and marry Mrs. Chevers who is also divorcing her husband. This sours Lally on all men, but on vacation she meets Jack, who succeeds in stealing her heart. The trouble begins when Lally discovers that Jack is the son of Beth Chevers, the woman who is to marry her father.

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Plot Keywords:

prayer | heart disease | michigan | mistress | summer resort | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 December 1929 (USA)

Also Known As:

Caprichos

Filming Locations:

Alhambra, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

65 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

[Lally, having just learned from her father that he is divorcing her mother to marry another woman, enters her mother's room.]
Lucia 'Lally' Marlett: Well, he's washed us up...given us the air.
[Mother weeps inconsolably as Lally lights a cigarette.]
Lucia 'Lally' Marlett: Oh, Mother, haven't you any pride?
Harriet Marlett: [between sobs] Oh Lally! What's pride when you care for a man--when you...when you...really...really care?

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Soundtracks

"The Wedding March"
(1843) (uncredited)
from "A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61"
Written by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy
Hummed by Robert Montgomery

User Reviews

Shearer good, Bennett ill at ease

This film is sociologically fascinating but dramatically rather weak. It also would make a good case study for a psychology class, as Norma Shearer's character (Lally) has to deal with others who are variously manipulating, controlling and irresponsible (I won't spoil it by telling you who does what). The sociological fascination comes from the depiction of the idle rich who ride polo ponies, go to Lake Michigan resorts, dress smartly and tolerate `modern' young women like Lally - and from the dynamic between men and women. The dialogue seems unusually terse by 1929 standards - much is left unsaid, and the film is better because of it. Shearer is quite good; she carries the film with apparent ease. Unfortunately, Belle Bennett is clearly ill at ease with sound. She was quite popular and acclaimed for her silent work, especially Stella Dallas, but here she brings little life to her role.