Although the British upper class may be thought our betters in society, but they are certainly not our betters, and perhaps our equals, in morality.Although the British upper class may be thought our betters in society, but they are certainly not our betters, and perhaps our equals, in morality.Although the British upper class may be thought our betters in society, but they are certainly not our betters, and perhaps our equals, in morality.
- Duchess
- (as Violet Kemble-Cooper)
- Mrs. Saunders
- (scenes deleted)
- Mr. Saunders
- (scenes deleted)
- Diana - George's Mistress
- (uncredited)
- Lady Helen
- (uncredited)
- Duchess of Hightower
- (uncredited)
- Ernest
- (uncredited)
- 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
I generally watch these old films to escape the cynicism of today's world, and this film fails in that respect. The entire cast behaves in a despicable and inhuman manner like something out of ancient Rome, with the exception of Pearl's young sister Bessie, who is a wide-eyed innocent about to make the same mistake as Pearl did when she married her faithless husband. We all figure that Pearl behaving like a manipulative pleasure-addicted ice queen is rooted in her husband's betrayal, but nothing is said about motivation at all until the end of the film. George Cukor generally did a great job in these "women's films", especially if Katharine Hepburn was starring. But then Kate was such an excellent actress that she could get her motivation across without the use of explicit dialogue. Constance Bennett usually could do so too, so why things don't pan out here theatrically I have no idea.
As an aside, it is interesting that Gilbert Roland and Constance Bennett play lovers in this and one other film from 1933 - "After Tonight" - yet don't marry until eight years later. I wonder if there's a story there?
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