Lonely Wives (1931)

Director:

Russell Mack

Writers:

Walter DeLeon, A.H. Woods (play)

Stars:

Edward Everett Horton, Esther Ralston, Laura La Plante

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Edward Everett Horton	...	Richard 'Dickie' Smith / Felix, the Great Zero
Esther Ralston	...	Madeline Smith
Laura La Plante	...	Diane O'Dare
Patsy Ruth Miller	...	Kitty 'Minty' Minter
Spencer Charters	...	Andrews, the Butler
Maude Eburne	...	Mrs. Mantel
Maurice Black	...	Taxi Driver

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

deception | farce | impersonation | based on play

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 February 1931 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pathé Exchange

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Photophone System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Richard 'Dickie' Smith: Oh, you have a pretty mouth!
Kitty 'Minty' Minter: Aw, I like your moustache.
Richard 'Dickie' Smith: Really? Well, shall we introduce them?

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Soundtracks

"Madeline"
Composer unknown
Sung on a record

User Reviews

Edward Everett Horton Juggles Three Women

Fantasizing he is an after hours womanizer, stuff-shirted lawyer Edward Everett Horton (as Richard "Dickie" Smith) flirts with new secretary Patsy Ruth Miller (as Kitty "Minty" Minter). Tipped off by boozing butler Spencer Charters (as Andrews), Ms. Miller sets Horton up on a date with film actress friend Laura La Plante (as Diane O'Dare). The women hope to Horton will provide Ms. La Plante with a cheap divorce from vaudeville husband "Felix, the Great Zero" (also played by Horton), for non-performance of duties. Lawyer Horton agrees to let "Felix" impersonate him at home, so he can keep dates with the women.

But, wife Esther Ralston (as Madeline) comes home predictably… er, unexpectedly…

Leading man Horton acts his two roles successfully, in and out of "split screen" effect. Interestingly, he gets three leading ladies who were bigger stars during the "silent" years. Miller is charming and too briefly on-screen. Ms. Ralston appears modern and sexy. La Plante has the meatier part. And, matronly mother-in-law Maude Eburne (as Mrs. Mantel) steals scenes from everyone. The old film is sprinkled with amusing sexual innuendos. The twin Hortons are neatly directed by Russell Mack, but someone needed give the viewer some more differentiation between the two, especially during the masquerade at the house.

****** Lonely Wives (2/15/31) Russell Mack ~ Edward Everett Horton, Laura La Plante, Esther Ralston, Patsy Ruth Miller