- Our Betters
-
Our Betters 
Original posterDirected by George Cukor Produced by David O. Selznick Written by Jane Murfin
Harry Wagstaff Gribble
Based on the play by W. Somerset MaughamStarring Constance Bennett
Anita LouiseMusic by Bernhard Kaun
Roy WebbCinematography Charles Rosher Editing by Jack Kitchin Distributed by RKO Radio Pictures Release date(s) February 23, 1933 Running time 83 minutes Country United States Language English Our Betters is a 1933 American satirical comedy film directed by George Cukor. The screenplay by Jane Murfin and Harry Wagstaff Gribble is based on the 1923 play of the same title by W. Somerset Maugham.
Contents
Plot
When American heiress Pearl Saunders learns her groom, Lord George Grayston, has married her for her money, she is devastated by the news but chooses to remain wed. Pearl socializes with a group of wealthy expatriate friends, including divorced duchess Minnie, gossip-loving Thornton Clay, philanthropic princess Flora, and Arthur Fenwick, her older lover and benefactor.
Pearl introduces her younger sister Bessie to English aristocracy and urges her to pursue a relationship with Lord Harry Bleane. Although she is the target of Fleming Harvey's affections, Bessie is seduced by the glamour of high society and joins her sister for a weekend at the Grayston country estate. When Minnie discovers her gigolo Pepi D'Costa is romancing Pearl, she publicly exposes their indiscretion. Mortified at having her innocent sister learn about her unseemly behavior, Pearl retreats to her room, while Minnie prepares to return to London. Fearful her reputation will be tarnished by Minnie's gossip, Pearl plots to delay her departure and tries to ingratiate herself with the rest of her guests. When Bessie accuses her of hypocrisy, Pearl has second thoughts and steers her sister away from Harry and back to the doting Fleming. She then convinces Minnie to stay another night and learn the latest tango steps from effete dance instructor Ernest.
Production
Producer David O. Selznick enlisted Elsa Maxwell, a gossip columnist whose reputation as a hostess of successful society parties was widely known, to serve as a consultant for the film's costumes (designed by Hattie Carnegie) and its general tone.[1]
The film premiered at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.[2]
Cast
- Constance Bennett ..... Lady Pearl Grayston
- Anita Louise ..... Bessie Saunders
- Violet Kemble-Cooper ..... Duchess Minnie
- Charles Starrett ..... Fleming Harvey
- Grant Mitchell ..... Thornton Clay
- Gilbert Roland ..... Pepi D'Costa
- Minor Watson ..... Arthur Fenwick
- Hugh Sinclair ..... Lord Harry Bleane
- Alan Mowbray ..... Lord George Grayston
- Tyrell Davis ..... Ernest
Critical reception
Mordaunt Hall of the New York Times called the film "a highly praiseworthy pictorial interpretation of the stage work" and added, "It is an intelligently worked out film, thanks to the director, George Cukor, and while it does not bother much about cinematic art, the scenes are always beautifully photographed and nicely staged. It has heaps of amusement and some hearty laughter, and Mr. Maugham's fine hand still is apparent notwithstanding certain tactful studio changes." [2]
References
External links
Films directed by George Cukor 1930s Grumpy (1930) • The Virtuous Sin (1930) • The Royal Family of Broadway (1930) • Tarnished Lady (1931) • Girls About Town (1931) • What Price Hollywood? (1932) • A Bill of Divorcement (1932) • Rockabye (1932) • Our Betters (1933) • Dinner at Eight (1933) • Little Women (1933) • David Copperfield (1935) • Sylvia Scarlett (1935) • Romeo and Juliet (1936) • Camille (1936) • Holiday (1938) • Zaza (1939) • The Women (1939)1940s Susan and God (1940) • The Philadelphia Story (1940) • A Woman's Face (1941) • Two-Faced Woman (1941) • Her Cardboard Lover (1942) • Keeper of the Flame (1942) • Gaslight (1944) • Winged Victory (1944) • A Double Life (1947) • Edward, My Son (1949) • Adam's Rib (1949)1950s A Life of Her Own (1950) • Born Yesterday (1950) • The Model and the Marriage Broker (1951) • The Marrying Kind (1952) • Pat and Mike (1952) • The Actress (1953) • It Should Happen to You (1954) • A Star Is Born (1954) • Bhowani Junction (1956) • Les Girls (1957) • Wild Is the Wind (1957)1960s Heller in Pink Tights (1960) • Let's Make Love (1960) • Something's Got to Give (1962) • The Chapman Report (1962) • My Fair Lady (1964) • Justine (1969)1970s Travels with My Aunt (1972) • Love Among the Ruins (1975) • The Blue Bird (1976) • The Corn is Green (1979)1980s Rich and Famous (1981)Categories:- English-language films
- 1933 films
- American comedy films
- 1930s comedy films
- Films based on plays
- Satirical films
- Black-and-white films
- Films directed by George Cukor
- RKO Pictures films
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
