Devotion (1931)

The poor, downtrodden (beautiful, of course) "dutiful" daughter in a London society family falls for a barrister, disguises herself, and takes a job as governess to his son. Adapted from ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Milton

Writers:

Pamela Wynne (novel), Horace Jackson (screenplay),

Stars:

Ann Harding, Leslie Howard, Robert Williams

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ann Harding	...	Shirley Mortimer
Leslie Howard	...	David Trent
Robert Williams	...	Norman Harrington
O.P. Heggie	...	Mr. Emmet Mortimer
Louise Closser Hale	...	Mrs. Mortimer
Dudley Digges	...	Sergeant Herbert Coggins
Alison Skipworth	...	Mrs. Matilda Coggins
Doris Lloyd	...	Pansy
Olive Tell	...	Mrs. Trent
Ruth Weston	...	Margaret Mortimer
Joan Carr	...	Marjory Fielding
Douglas Scott	...	Derek Trent

Storyline

The poor, downtrodden (beautiful, of course) "dutiful" daughter in a London society family falls for a barrister, disguises herself, and takes a job as governess to his son. Adapted from the novel, "A Little Flat in the Temple"

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Plot Keywords:

disguise | governess | model | marriage proposal | wig | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 September 1931 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Little Flat in the Temple

Filming Locations:

RKO-Pathé Studios - 9336 Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Pathé Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Photophone System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Londonderry Air"
(uncredited)
Music attributed to Rory Dall O'Cahan
In the score during the opening credits and at the end

User Reviews

Mrs. Doubtfire Lite

Ann Harding disguises herself as a dowdy nanny--tough job, and she doesn't quite bring it off here, she's too youthful and pretty--to be near barrister Leslie Howard, likably doing one of his oh-so-British-gentry romantic leads. It's the lightest of trifles, with some lapses of logic, and after the deception is revealed, the movie drags on needlessly for a half an hour or so. But Harding's always a pleasure to watch, even if she doesn't quite convince in either of her British (Mayfair and Cockney) accents. And a plus, as noted by others, is Robert Williams, who's so marvelous in "Platinum Blonde." He had a Spencer Tracy down-to-earth quality that shines here, and he's a natural light comedian (though his character's somewhat off--are we supposed to like him or not?). Nice production values, amiable supporting cast, and was there ever a greater year for clothes than 1931?