Trouble for Two (1936)

Director:

J. Walter Ruben

Writers:

Edward E. Paramore Jr. (writer)
Manuel Seff (writer)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

The Crown Prince is to marry the Princess Brenda of Irania, but the Princess declines the arranged marriage...

Plot Keywords:

Suicide | Duel | Based On Novel | Number In Title

Cast

Robert Montgomery	...	Prince Florizel
Rosalind Russell	...	Miss Vandeleur
Frank Morgan	...	Col. Geraldine
Reginald Owen	...	President of Club
Louis Hayward	...	Man With Cream Tarts
E.E. Clive	...	King
Walter Kingsford	...	Malthus
Ivan F. Simpson	...	Collins (as Ivan Simpson)
Tom Moore	...	Major O'Rook
Robert Greig	...	Fat Man, Club Member
Pedro de Cordoba	...	Sergei
Leyland Hodgson	...	Capt. Rich (as Leland Hogdson)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
David Holt	...	Florizel as a child (scenes deleted)
Virginia Weidler	...	Miss Vandeleur as a child (scenes deleted)

Also Known As:

The Suicide Club

Runtime:

75 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Quotes:

Col. Geraldine: I'll take my auntie's plum pudding. I can have it waxed after the dog is acquitted.

Movie Connections:

Version of The Suicide Club (1909/I)

Fascinating combination of mystery, suspense, and comedy

"Trouble for Two" is a benign title that belies what an unusual film this is. Robert Montgomery plays a foreign prince who is approached by a beautiful, mysterious woman (Rosalind Russell) on board ship to London. She asks him to hold an envelope for her until they disembark, at which time she will meet him at the bottom of the gangplank. She never does. It turns out the envelope is full of blank paper. While in London, Montgomery meets Louis Hayward, who tells him and his aide (Frank Morgan) of the existence of a suicide club. The prince insists on accompanying Hayward there, over his aide's objections. There, in this exclusive club where people pay to die with another member's assistance so it looks like natural causes, he sees the mysterious lady again...

This is a very intriguing story with twists and turns that will keep the viewer interested. Montgomery and Russell did five films together and make a good team. She's quite striking-looking and somber in this. Montgomery does an excellent job as the prince, a young man who can't resist the idea of adventure and who is willing to take even foolish risks. Louis Hayward's role is small but a different one for him. He looks heavier and softer. As the actor who first portrayed The Saint, he normally was quite suave and dashing.

You have to pay attention during "Trouble for Two" - it moves fast. Based on Robert Louis Stevenson's story "The Suicide Club," the script could have been stronger, but it's a good effort and a change from the usual fare.