The Unguarded Hour (1936)

Franchot Tone: Sir Alan Dearden

Photos 

Quotes 

• [at the Deardens' party, the guests are discussing the ongoing murder trial at which Sir Alan is the prosecuting attorney] 

  Lady Agatha Hathaway : My dear, I was at the trial today. Alan was thrilling! How he made that murderer squirm!

  [she chooses an hors d'oeuvre from the tray offered by the waiter] 

  Lord Henry Hathaway : All the fellow did was to push his wife off a cliff.

  Lady Agatha Hathaway : [as Lord Henry moves to take a canapé, Lady Agatha stops him]  Henry!

  [Sir Alan approaches] 

  Lady Agatha Hathaway : Oh, Alan, I was so proud of you today. How long will it take you to finish that little wretch?

  Sir Alan Dearden : The trial may take another week.

  Lady Agatha Hathaway : A whole week?

  [chuckling while stuffing her face] 

  Lady Agatha Hathaway : I mustn't miss a single day!

  Lady Helen Dudley Dearden : [softly]  Excuse me, please.

  [leaves] 

  Lord Henry Hathaway : Why is everybody so vicious about this fellow? After all, perhaps his wife *needed* murdering.

  Lady Agatha Hathaway : Well, if you think that's funny, I don't!

  [leaves in a huff] 

  Lord Henry Hathaway : [following his wife]  My dear, my dear, it wasn't meant for you.

  Waiter at party : [to Bunny]  Cocktail, sir?

  William 'Bunny' Jeffers : Lady Hathaway would have made a most charming cannibal. Can't you see her dancing 'round the pot while the victim boils?

  Sir Alan Dearden : Well, anyway her morbidity is honest.

• Sir Alan Dearden : Now look here, Bunny, you're a pretty good lawyer. At least, you would be if you hadn't so much money.