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''Lonely Wives'' is a 1931 American
comedy film The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is one of the o ...
directed by
Russell Mack Russell Mack (November 11, 1892 – June 1, 1972) was an American vaudeville performer in the 1910s and a stage actor, film director, and producer in the 1920s and 1930s. Vaudeville and stage career Born Edward Russell Mahoney in Oneonta, New ...
and produced by E.B. Derr for
Pathé Exchange Pathé Exchange, commonly known as Pathé, was an American film production and distribution company, largely of Cinema of the United States, Hollywood's silent film, silent era. Known for its trailblazing newsreel and wide array of short film, s ...
, and was distributed by RKO Pictures after the merger of the two studios; it starred
Edward Everett Horton Edward Everett Horton, Jr. (March 18, 1886 – September 29, 1970) was an American character actor and comedian. He had a long career in film, theater, radio, television, and voice work for animated cartoons. Early life Horton was born March 18 ...
,
Esther Ralston Esther Ralston (born Esther Louise Worth, September 17, 1902 – January 14, 1994) was an American silent films, silent film star. Her most prominent sound picture was ''To the Last Man (1933 film), To the Last Man'' in 1933. Early life and c ...
,
Laura La Plante Laura La Plante (born Laura Laplante; November 1, 1904 – October 14, 1996) was an American film actress, whose more notable performances were in the silent era. Early life La Plante was born in St. Louis, Missouri on November 1, 1904, the daug ...
, and
Patsy Ruth Miller Patsy Ruth Miller (born Patricia Ruth Miller; January 17, 1904 – July 16, 1995) was an American film actress who played Esméralda in '' The Hunchback of Notre Dame'' (1923) opposite Lon Chaney. Early years Miller, the daughter of Mr. and ...
. The screenplay was written by
Walter DeLeon Walter DeLeon (May 3, 1884 – August 1, 1947) was an American screenwriter and playwright. Biography Walter DeLeon was born on May 3, 1884, in Oakland, California. DeLeon made his playwright debut at Idora Park in Oakland. He wrote for ...
, based upon a successful German vaudeville act entitled ''Tanzanwaltz'', penned by Pordes Milo, Walter Schütt, and Dr. Eric Urban. The German production had been translated for the American stage by DeLeon and Mark Swan and, under the same title as the film.


Plot

Richard "Dickie" Smith, is a seemingly respectable defense attorney by day, who turns into a philandering
Don Juan Don Juan (), also known as Don Giovanni ( Italian), is a legendary fictional Spanish libertine who devotes his life to seducing women. The original version of the story of Don Juan appears in the 1630 play (''The Trickster of Seville and t ...
when the clock strikes 8 o’clock. His wife, Madeline, has been away for several months, and is not expected back anytime soon. However, Madeline's mother, Mrs. Mantel is staying with the Smiths, in an effort to curtail the possibility of any straying by Richard. Unbeknownst to her, he has made plans to go out on the town that night with his new, sultry secretary Kitty Minter, and his new sexy client, Diane O'Dare, who, a lonely wife herself, wishes to divorce her husband for neglect. The issue is how can he go out on the town without alerting his mother-in-law. An issue which is seemingly resolved by the arrival at his home of a vaudeville impersonator: Felix, the Great Zero. Felix is seeking permission to impersonate the famous lawyer on-stage. At first reluctant, Richard, noticing the striking resemblance between himself and the actor, realizes he might have a way to deceive Mrs. Mantel. In order to obtain his approval, Felix must agree to impersonate him at his house that evening, while he goes out. While Richard goes out on the town, he discovers that Diane's husband is none other than Felix. Meanwhile, Madeline arrives home unannounced and early. Thinking that he is about to be exposed, Felix phones the nightclub where Richard has taken the two women for dinner and drinks. As he waits for the return phone call, much to his surprise, rather than exposing him as an imposter, Madeline begins to come on to him. He attempts to resist, trying to hold out until he can speak to Richard, but he succumbs to her charms just as the phone begins ringing. When Richard returns home the next morning, Felix is still there. He is followed closely by a very inebriated Diane, with whom it seems he has spent his time away from home. When Felix recognizes Diane, and Richard understands that Felix has spent the night at his house, both men believe that his look-a-like has slept with the others' wife. After a series of events, Smith ends up chasing Zero with a loaded gun. Meanwhile, Andrews, the Butler, thinks he must have the DT’s, seeing double of his employer. The truth comes out when Madeline admits that she knew it wasn't Richard all along, and other than the kissing, nothing happened between the two of them. Diane admits that she spent the night in the cab, riding around, and not with Richard. Reconciled, Richard is cured of his wandering ways and Felix and Diane are reunited.


Cast

*
Edward Everett Horton Edward Everett Horton, Jr. (March 18, 1886 – September 29, 1970) was an American character actor and comedian. He had a long career in film, theater, radio, television, and voice work for animated cartoons. Early life Horton was born March 18 ...
as Richard "Dickie" Smith, and Felix, the Great Zero *
Esther Ralston Esther Ralston (born Esther Louise Worth, September 17, 1902 – January 14, 1994) was an American silent films, silent film star. Her most prominent sound picture was ''To the Last Man (1933 film), To the Last Man'' in 1933. Early life and c ...
as Madeline Smith *
Laura La Plante Laura La Plante (born Laura Laplante; November 1, 1904 – October 14, 1996) was an American film actress, whose more notable performances were in the silent era. Early life La Plante was born in St. Louis, Missouri on November 1, 1904, the daug ...
as Diane O'Dare *
Patsy Ruth Miller Patsy Ruth Miller (born Patricia Ruth Miller; January 17, 1904 – July 16, 1995) was an American film actress who played Esméralda in '' The Hunchback of Notre Dame'' (1923) opposite Lon Chaney. Early years Miller, the daughter of Mr. and ...
as Kitty "Minty" Minter *
Spencer Charters Spencer Charters (March 25, 1875 – January 25, 1943) was an American film actor. He appeared in more than 220 films between 1920 and 1943, mostly in small supporting roles. Biography Charters was born in Duncannon, Pennsylvania. Until aroun ...
as Andrews, the Butler *
Maude Eburne Maude Eburne (born Maud Eburne Riggs, November 10, 1875 – October 15, 1960) was a Canadian character actress of stage and screen, known for playing eccentric roles. Early years Eburne was born the daughter of John and Mary Riggs, in Bron ...
as Mrs. Mantel *
Maurice Black Maurice Black (January 14, 1891 – January 18, 1938) was an American character actor known for his portrayal of mobsters. He appeared in more than 100 films from 1928 to 1938, when he died of pneumonia, four days after his 47th birthday. ...
as Taxi Driver (Cast as per AFI database)


Production

Pathé announced that the film was going into production in mid-November 1930, with Russell Mack at the helm. Shortly after, it was reported that La Plante had been attached to the cast; La Plante was returning to films after a brief seven-month hiatus, during which time speculation arose that her career might be over. Her appearance in this film, and its success, would re-ignite her career. On December 7, it was learned that DeLeon would be adapting the story into a screenplay, and on the 10th the announcement came that Esther Ralston and Patsy Ruth Miller would be added to the list of cast members, along with Edward Everett Horton. Horton and Miller had co-starred the prior year in four films together for
Warner Brothers Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (WBEI), commonly known as Warner Bros. (WB), is an American filmed entertainment studio headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios complex in Burbank, California and the main namesake subsidiary of Warner Bro ...
. The following day, December 11, ''
The Film Daily ''The Film Daily'' was a daily publication that existed from 1918 to 1970 in the United States. It was the first daily newspaper published solely for the film industry. It covered the latest trade news, film reviews, financial updates, informati ...
'' announced that the film had begun production. Included in the cast was Spencer Charters, who had acted with Mack in several
Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street ** Broadway Theatre (53rd Stre ...
plays. Pathe announced that the film would be part of its 1931 schedule, and it began to appear on its list of upcoming releases in the trades, but without a specific release date. The release was held up in late January due to the sale of Pathe to RKO Pictures. By the end of the month the go-ahead was given to release the film. Finally on February 16 RKO announced they would be releasing the film the following week. Several days prior to its release, Pathe announced that the marketing campaign for the film would include "tie-ins" with a coterie of manufacturers and retail stores. The campaign would include drug stores and department stores, and have advertising material supplied by manufacturers such as
Underwood Underwood may refer to: People *Underwood (surname), people with the surname Places Australia *Underwood, Queensland, a suburb of Logan City, Australia *Underwood, Tasmania, a locality United Kingdom *Underwood, Devon, a List of United Kingdom ...
(typewriters), John H. Woodbury (toiletries), and Jo-Cur Laboratories (beauty products). ''Lonely Wives'' was released by RKO on February 22, 1931.


Soundtrack

* "Madeline", unknown composer * "Baby Feet", unknown composer, sung by Maude Eburne


Reception

Mordaunt Hall Mordaunt Hall (1 November 1878 – 2 July 1973) was the first regularly assigned motion picture critic for ''The New York Times'', working from October 1924 to September 1934.The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...
'', gave the film a positive review, calling the direction "skillful" and singling out the performance of several of the actors, including Esther Ralston, Maude Eburne, Patsy Ruth Miller, and Spencer Charters. He was especially impressed with Horton, stating that he "delivers a wonderfully clever dual impersonation ...", and is "wonderfully amusing". ''
The Film Daily ''The Film Daily'' was a daily publication that existed from 1918 to 1970 in the United States. It was the first daily newspaper published solely for the film industry. It covered the latest trade news, film reviews, financial updates, informati ...
'' also gave the film a nod of approval, calling it "... one of the cleverest and most entertaining comedies of the season". They particularly highlighted the direction of Mack, Horton's performance in his dual role, as well as complimenting the rest of the cast. The trade paper also gave the highest marks to the cinematography of Edward Snyder. ''
Photoplay ''Photoplay'' was one of the first American film fan magazines, its title another word for screenplay. It was founded in Chicago in 1911. Under early editors Julian Johnson and James R. Quirk, in style and reach it became a pacesetter for fan m ...
'' listed it as one of the best films of the month in February 1931, singling out the acting talents of Horton, Ralston, La Plante, and Miller. ''Picture Play Magazine'' was a bit more reserved in their review of the film. While they called it "... the most consistently broad comedy of any film since "The Cock-eyed World"," they also stated that it was "supposedly hilarious". Other positive reviews came from: ''Billboard'', "... destined to be one of the laugh highlights of the screen year"; ''Motion Picture Herald'', "Highly sophisticated comedy, goes over with a great laugh"; ''Los Angeles Express'', "Fast, furious, frothy farce. Lonely Wives is a laugh riot"; and ''
Motion Picture Daily ''Motion Picture Daily'' was an American daily magazine focusing on the film industry. It was published by Quigley Publishing Company, which also published the '' Motion Picture Herald''. The magazine was formed by the merging of three existing Q ...
'', "Laughs keep rolling out in a steady deluge of ultra-sophisticated wise cracks."


Notes

In 1959, the film entered the
public domain in the United States Works are in the public domain if they are not covered by the intellectual property right known as copyright, or if the intellectual property rights to the works have expired. Works automatically enter the public domain when their copyright has ...
because the claimants did not renew its
copyright registration The purpose of copyright registration is to place on record a verifiable account of the date and content of the work in question, so that in the event of a legal claim, or case of infringement or plagiarism, the copyright owner can produce a cop ...
in the 28th year after publication. It was released on DVD by Roan/Troma Entertainment in 2001. The English translation of the 1912 German vaudeville act, ''Tanzanwaltz'', entitled ''Lonely Wives'', written by DeLeon and Mark Swan, was produced by A.H. Woods in
Stamford, Connecticut Stamford () is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, outside of New York City. It is the sixth-most populous city in New England. Stamford is also the largest city in the Western Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut, Weste ...
on August 11, 1922. The play was scheduled to open in New York in August 1922, starring a well-known female impersonator of that time,
Julian Eltinge Julian Eltinge (May 14, 1881 – March 7, 1941), born William Julian Dalton, was an American Stage (theatre), stage and film actor and female impersonator. After appearing in the Boston Cadets Revue at the age of ten in feminine garb, Elting ...
as its star, but was never produced, apparently because while humorous, it had no value or integrity. The film was acquired by RKO when they purchased Pathé Exchange in January 1931.


References


External links

* *
''Lonely Wives'' at AllMovie
* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Lonely Wives 1931 films 1931 comedy films 1930s English-language films American black-and-white films American films based on plays Pathé Exchange films Films directed by Russell Mack Articles containing video clips American comedy films 1930s American films English-language comedy films