The Reckless Hour (1931)

Writers:

Arthur Richman (play)
Florence Ryerson (adaptation)

Release Date:

15 August 1931 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Mistress | Bracelet | Class Distinction | Marriage Proposal | Love Affair

Cast

Dorothy Mackaill	...	Margaret 'Margie' Nichols
Conrad Nagel	...	Edward 'Eddie' Adams
H.B. Warner	...	Walter Nichols
Joan Blondell	...	Myrtle Nichols
Walter Byron	...	Allen Crane
Joe Donahue	...	Harry Gleason
Dorothy Peterson	...	Mrs. Susie Jennison
Helen Ware	...	Harriett Nichols
Billy House	...	Seymour Jennison (as William House)
Claude King	...	Howard Crane

Runtime:

71 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Not Rated | USA:TV-PG (TV rating)

Company:

First National Pictures

Trivia:

The play, "Ambush," opened on Broadway in New York City, New York, USA on 10 October 1921 and had 90 performances. The opening night cast included Florence Eldridge as Margaret and Frank Reicher as Walter.

Quotes:

Edward Adams: Alan, old boy!
Allan Crane: Ed Adams! Of all people - what are you doing in this country? I thought you were in Paris!
Edward Adams: I came back to do a series of covers for *Pose*.
Allan Crane: Good work. Is the wife with you?
Edward Adams: No, she's in China.
Allan Crane: By herself?
Edward Adams: Not exactly. Evelyn Grant's husband is with her.
Allan Crane: Honestly?
Edward Adams: I wouldn't call it honestly, but he's with her.
Allan Crane: Oh, I'm sorry, Ed; really I am. What on earth can she see in that half-portion?
[...]

Soundtrack:

Nevertheless (I'm in Love with You)

Mercurial Dorothy Mackaill surfaces again...

Dorothy Mackaill, real life Ziegfeld Girl turned actress, might've become another Crawford or Davis had she come along seven or eight year later. Her early talkies are nearly-lost artifacts which shouldn't really hold up well today, yet her performances are always worth-watching. Here she plays a working girl who has to retreat to a "rest home" after getting pregnant by a wealthy playboy, driving her family into bankruptcy. Surprisingly fresh and fast-paced. Mackaill, as well as Joan Blondell as Dorothy's sassy sis, is "a real peach" and a natural comedienne. This is probably her finest showcase, based on the play "Ambush" by Arthur Richman. **1/2 from ****