Easy Virtue (1928)

A recently divorced woman hides her scandalous past from her new husband and his family.

Director:

Alfred Hitchcock

Writers:

Noël Coward (adapted from the play by) (as Noel Coward), Eliot Stannard (scenario)

Stars:

Isabel Jeans, Franklin Dyall, Eric Bransby Williams

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Isabel Jeans	...	Larita Filton
Franklin Dyall	...	Aubrey Filton
Eric Bransby Williams	...	Claude Robson
Ian Hunter	...	Mr. Greene
Robin Irvine	...	John Whittaker
Violet Farebrother	...	Mrs. Whittaker
Frank Elliott	...	Colonel Whittaker
Dacia Deane	...	Marion Whittaker
Dorothy Boyd	...	Hilda Whittaker
Enid Stamp-Taylor	...	Sarah (as Enid Stamp Taylor)

Storyline

Larita Filton is named as correspondent in a scandalous divorce case. She escapes to France to rebuild her life where she meets John Whittaker. They are later married, but John's well-to-do family finds out Larita's secret.

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Plot Keywords:

divorce | artist | trial | secret | france | 

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Genres:

Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

June 1928 (USA)

Also Known As:

Inmoralidad

Filming Locations:

Eze Village, Alpes-Maritimes, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gainsborough Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min 89 min (Hypercube restored) 70 min (2012 restoration)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the end of the movie, Larita Filton (Isabel Jeans) tells a group of news photographers: "Shoot! There's nothing left to kill." In his book, written with Director François Truffaut, Sir Alfred Hitchcock sheepishly admitted it was the worst title card he ever wrote.

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Goofs

After talking to his mom about Larita and sitting next to Sarah, John's leg and arm positions change between shots.

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Quotes

[first lines]
The Plaintiff's Counsel: Mrs. Filton, do you wish the Jury to believe the co-respondent never kissed you?

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Alternate Versions

In 2004, the Turner Classic Movies channel broadcast a version digitally remastered by Hypercube LLC for the National Film Museum Incorporated. It has a new piano score composed and performed by Douglas M. Protsik and runs 89 minutes.

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Connections

Version of Easy Virtue (2008)

User Reviews

A powerful movie made during a time when divorce wasn't discussed

I will admit that at times this movie seems slow. However, if you take a look deeper at the time frame in which this movie was presented you can easily see the risk that Hitchcock took. In the movie the main character is divorced and disgraced by her horrible husband. When she tries to regain some normalcy by marrying again, the ghosts of her past come to prevent any happiness in her future. Once again she is shamed, disgraced, and helpless prey for the photographers and newspapers who use her high social standing and demise to sell their goods.

A very compelling look into hypocrisy and judgment in a time when both were at their highest peak.