''Men Are Not Gods'' is a 1936 British film starring

Miriam Hopkins Ellen Miriam Hopkins (October 18, 1902 – October 9, 1972) was an American actress known for her versatility. She first signed with Paramount Pictures in 1930. Her best-known roles included a pickpocket in Ernst Lubitsch's romantic comedy '' T ...

and co-starring

Gertrude Lawrence Gertrude Lawrence (4 July 1898 – 6 September 1952) was an English actress, singer, dancer and musical comedy performer known for her stage appearances in the West End of London and on Broadway in New York. Early life Lawrence was born Gertr ...

, Sebastian Shaw and

Rex Harrison Sir Reginald Carey "Rex" Harrison (5 March 1908 – 2 June 1990) was an English actor. Harrison began his career on the stage in 1924. He made his West End debut in 1936 appearing in the Terence Rattigan play '' French Without Tears'', in wh ...

. It was a success in the UK when released largely due to the popularity of the two female stars Hopkins and Lawrence. This also brought to attention the talents of

who made his breakthrough into Hollywood not too long after this film.

, although not so much a movie actress, was at the peak of her stage career when this film was released and her performance was praised.

Plot summary

In London, critic Mr. Skeates dictates a scathing review of Edmund Davey, the lead actor debuting in the play ''Othello'', to his secretary, Ann Williams. Barbara Albert, Davey's co-star and wife, comes to the newspaper offices to plead her husband's case. Skeates has already left, so she begs Ann for help to save Edmund's career, insisting that he is a great actor who was simply overwhelmed by his great opportunity. Ann is touched and takes a great risk (as Skeates never reads his own work), rewriting the review to praise the actor's performance. The critic, however, finds out when Edmund thanks him for his kind words, and Ann is given the sack. She goes to see the play. She and the rest of the audience are entranced by Edmund's second performance. When Barbara spots her after the show, she introduces Ann to her husband. Ann and Edmund become infatuated with each other, however. Edmund pursues Ann and even though she admits being in love with him, she won’t give in to it due to respect for his wife. He eventually convinces her and they carry on an affair. Barbara finds out about Ann and Edmund and goes to Ann pleading with her to stop the affair. Barbara also tells her she is pregnant. Ann tells her she shall have her husband back and writes him a note saying he should stay with Barbara as long as she lives. Edmund becomes obsessed with “as long as she lives” and tries to actually strangle Barbara during a performance of Othello. Ann is in the audience and screams for him to stop. He snaps out of his trance and later in the dressing room asks Barbara for forgiveness which she gives him and they make up. She tells him to find Ann and say something nice to her. He thanks Ann for stopping him from doing something terrible and Ann leaves.

Cast

as Ann Williams *

as Barbara Halson * Sebastian Shaw as Edmund Davey *

as Tommy Stapleton, a newspaper reporter in love with Ann *

A. E. Matthews Alfred Edward Matthews (22 November 186925 July 1960), known as A. E. Matthews, was an English actor who played numerous character roles on the stage and in film for eight decades. Already middle-aged when films began production, he enjoyed inc ...

as Frederick Skeates *

Val Gielgud Val Henry Gielgud (28 April 1900 – 30 November 1981) was an English actor, writer, director and broadcaster. He was a pioneer of radio drama for the BBC, and also directed the first ever drama to be produced in the newer medium of televisi ...

as The Producer * Laura Smithson as Katherine * Lawrence Grossmith as Stanley (as Laurence Grossmith) *

Sybil Grove Sybil Grove was an English actress. She was born Sybil Marian Westmacott on 4 October 1891 in Teddington, Middlesex, and was also known as Sybil Wingrove. With reddish brown hair and standing 5'8", she trained at RADA and her stage debut was in ...

as Painter * Winifred Willard as Mrs. Williams *

Wally Patch Walter Sydney Vinnicombe (26 September 1888 – 27 October 1970) was an English actor and comedian. He worked in film, television and theatre. Biography Vinnicombe was born in Willesden, Middlesex and began working on the music hall stages i ...

as Gallery Attendant

References

External links

* * * * 1936 films British black-and-white films Films produced by Alexander Korda Films set in London United Artists films British drama films 1936 drama films 1930s English-language films 1930s British films {{1930s-UK-film-stub