Age of Indiscretion (1935)

Director:

Edward Ludwig

Writers:

Lenore J. Coffee (story)
Leon Gordon (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

10 May 1935 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot Keywords:

Financial Crisis | Judge | Sledding | Secretary | Novelist

Cast

Paul Lukas	...	Robert Lenhart
Madge Evans	...	Maxine Bennett
Helen Vinson	...	Eve Lenhart
May Robson	...	Emma Shaw
David Holt	...	Bill Lenhart (as David Jack Holt)
Ralph Forbes	...	Felix Shaw
Catherine Doucet	...	Jean Oliver (as Catharine Doucet)
Beryl Mercer	...	Mrs. Williams
Minor Watson	...	Mr. Adams
Shirley Ross	...	Dotty
Stuart Casey	...	Mr. Miles
Adrian Morris	...	Gus
George Irving	...	Judge

Runtime:

USA:78 min (Turner library print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #838) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | USA:TV-PG (TV rating)

Filming Locations:

Lake Tahoe, California, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

A print of this film survives at the UCLA Film and Television Archives.

Soundtrack:

The First Noël

Father and son

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Robert Lenhart, the publisher of quality books, is facing a financial downturn in his business. No one seems to care for the material he prefers to give the public anymore. His wife Eve, who clearly doesn't love him, decides to move on when he tries to reason with her in trying to economize. Eve walks out leaving Bill, her young son, with Robert, who clearly adores the boy, for the rich Felix Shaw.

Robert's business takes a great turn for the better, when Jean Oliver, a bestselling romance author decides to bring her new novel to his firm. Robert's secretary, Maxine, who secretly loves her boss, dotes on Bill, because she realizes he misses his mother. It's no wonder Robert also begins to see his assistant in a new manner.

Eve, who has married into the wealthy Shaw family, couldn't care less about Bill, as long as she is having fun. Her mother in law, Emma Shaw, meets the young son, and immediately takes to him and wants Eve to sue for custody. Things are complicated as Emma goes to the cottage where Robert and Bill have spent Chrismas with Maxine. Emma takes the matter into her hands, but realizes at the end that instead of getting young Bill's affections, she is being unfair.

This forgotten 1935 film, directed by Edward Ludwig, was seen on TCM recently. It's a story typical of the times. What Mr. Ludwig accomplished was to tell a richly detailed story in 80 minutes that seem even shorter as one gets involved in this movie.

Part of the success must go to Paul Lukas, who plays Robert Lenhart with his usual style. His Robert shows a tremendous love for Bill, who depends on him for everything. Madge Evans is perfect as Maxine Bennett, the secretary who falls in love with her boss, but would not do anything to jeopardize the father-son relationship. May Robson makes a strident Emma Shaw, a selfish rich woman, who comes to her senses when she realizes what she is going to do. There is a delicious moment in the film when Catherine Doucet, the romance novelist, comes to visit Robert Lenhart in his office. David Holt and Helen Vinson also make valuable contributions to the picture as Bill and Eve.

"Age of Indiscretion" is an enjoyable movie that reflects the tastes of the times in which it was made.