An American heiress marries a lord, and shocks London society.An American heiress marries a lord, and shocks London society.An American heiress marries a lord, and shocks London society.
Violet Kemble Cooper
- Duchess
- (as Violet Kemble-Cooper)
Virginia Howell
- Mrs. Saunders
- (scenes deleted)
Walter Walker
- Mr. Saunders
- (scenes deleted)
Finis Barton
- Diana - George's Mistress
- (uncredited)
Bunny Beatty
- Lady Helen
- (uncredited)
May Beatty
- Duchess of Hightower
- (uncredited)
Tyrell Davis
- Ernest
- (uncredited)
Bradley Metcalfe
- Little Boy
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaElsa Maxwell was brought in as technical advisor for this film because of her vast experience in hosting events for royalty and high society. She also assisted Hattie Carnegie in the designs for the evening gowns worn by the principle actresses.
- GoofsAlthough Bessie is supposed to be from New York, Anita Louise plays her with an affected British accent.
- Quotes
[last lines]
Minnie, Duchess of Sourae: You know, you're very naughty sometimes, Pearl, but you have a good heart and I can't help being fond of you.
Lady Pearl Saunders Grayston: Minnie!
Minnie, Duchess of Sourae: Pearl!
[they embrace]
Ernest: Ah! What an exquisite spectacle! Two ladies of title, kissing one another!
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Celluloid Closet (1995)
- SoundtracksThe Wedding March
(1843) (uncredited)
from "A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61"
Written by Felix Mendelssohn
Played by an offscreen organ during the wedding
Featured review
Pearl is a rich American who is marrying into British royalty. However, on her wedding night, she learns that her husband has no interest in her--just her money. And, he has a lover. So, instead of leaving him and asking for an annulment, she decides to dive into the decadent lifestyle of these idlers. She flaunts morality and lives for fun and her own sexual conquests. All in all, her friends are a very vacuous crowd.
At first, I thought all this was quite interesting and a nice commentary about the British aristocracy. However, after a while it all began to drag because the film was so very talky and mannered. Too many people talking as if they are in an amateur acting class on 'let's do British accent day'. All in all, it became a bore and lost me. One of the worst of these silly performances was by Duchess Minnie (Violet Kemble Cooper)--and it often lacked realism. Of course, this could also be said about several others in this dull film. Yes, it has its moments--but not nearly enough to make it worth seeing--even the chance to see Ernest near the end of the film!
By the way, about a decade after this film, Bennett and Gilbert Roland (who was also in this film) were married. They made two films together--both in 1933--"Our Betters" and "After Tonight".
At first, I thought all this was quite interesting and a nice commentary about the British aristocracy. However, after a while it all began to drag because the film was so very talky and mannered. Too many people talking as if they are in an amateur acting class on 'let's do British accent day'. All in all, it became a bore and lost me. One of the worst of these silly performances was by Duchess Minnie (Violet Kemble Cooper)--and it often lacked realism. Of course, this could also be said about several others in this dull film. Yes, it has its moments--but not nearly enough to make it worth seeing--even the chance to see Ernest near the end of the film!
By the way, about a decade after this film, Bennett and Gilbert Roland (who was also in this film) were married. They made two films together--both in 1933--"Our Betters" and "After Tonight".
- planktonrules
- Feb 7, 2013
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- W. Somerset Maugham's Our Betters
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 23 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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