The Divorce of Lady X (1938)Divorce lawyer Everard Logan thinks the woman who spent the night in his hotel room is the erring wife of his new client. Director:Tim Whelan |
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The Divorce of Lady X (1938)Divorce lawyer Everard Logan thinks the woman who spent the night in his hotel room is the erring wife of his new client. Director:Tim Whelan |
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| Merle Oberon | ... |
Leslie Steele /
Lady Claire Mere
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| Laurence Olivier | ... |
Everard Logan
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Binnie Barnes | ... |
Lady Claire Mere
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| Ralph Richardson | ... |
Lord Mere
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Morton Selten | ... |
Lord Steele
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J.H. Roberts | ... |
Slade
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Gertrude Musgrove | ... |
Saunders, the Maid
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Gus McNaughton | ... |
Room Service Waiter
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H.B. Hallam | ... |
Jefferies, the Butler
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Eileen Peel | ... |
Mrs. Johnson
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Laurence Olivier plays Logan, a barrister who falls in love with Leslie (played by Merle Oberon), the woman he thinks his client will soon be divorcing. Written by H. A. Lakatos <lakatos@mail.utexas.edu>
This short, unique and original screen-play proved no short of brilliant. It has a simple and entertaining plot of charming but mischevious young Leslie (known at first as Lady X) imposing herself on a foggy night on irritable young masoganistic barrister Everard Logan. Logan declares that he is not in the least bit stirred by her charms, however she finally ends up enjoying his bed, pyjamas and breakfast whilst he has the mattress next door. Ofcourse, being the eligible handsome typical thing that he is, he falls in love with her and vows to arrange her divorce for her, (despite the fact she has no husband!) Ralph Richardson as Lord Mere (Leslie's supposed husband) and Binnie Barnes (the REAL Lady Mere)also help to put him in the light at last. Hurt and irritated, Logan throws his affections for Leslie back in her face and leaves. She goes after him, and naturally, they agree to the marriage finally that Logan had always wanted, and Leslie finalises in curing Logan of his haughtily sexist views.
Some say Laurence Olivier is out of his depth in this sort of a film, since in no way is this Hamlet or Harry V or any great feat of literature such as Wuthering Heights, and in no way is he a born comedian. But he gives it unmatched gusto and IS HE SARCASTIC!! His scenes with Merle Oberon, who plays the sweet little charmer of a Leslie are delightful. Oberon is adorable and could not have been better as Leslie.
It's been said before that Oberon and Olivier had a wonderful chemistry on screen, just as well as Leigh did in fact; however it could be argued so. They were just as contrastingly wonderful in Wuthering Heights, a classic film which I adore.
If you're in the mood of a short but sweet comedy, you couldn't ask for better than this. Fantastic!