Ted Wilde directed Loose Ankles, a 1930 pre-Code romantic comedy with songs, produced and released by First National, which had become a subsidiary of Warner.
The film stars Loretta Young, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Louise Fazenda and Edward Nugent.
It’s a remake of the 1926 silent, Ladies at Play, which was produced by First National. Both versions were adapted by Gene Towne from the 1926 play “Loose Ankles” by Sam Janney.
(Janney was to direct the film but died in a car crash during production).
Loretta Young plays Ann Harper Berry, a young socialite with annual inheritance of $70,000 from her deceased grandmother. The will stipulates, however, that she will only receive the money after marrying a man approved by her prudish aunts Sarah (Louise Fazenda) and Katherine (Ethel Wales) Harper.
The will also stipulates that the inheritance would get lost if a scandal involving Ann occurs before she is married, in which case the estate will be donated to the welfare of cats and dogs.
Ann decides to create a scandal, advertising for an unscrupulous man to compromise her, which is responded by Gilly Hayden (Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.).
Ann’s maid asks Fairbanks to remove his clothing, and when the aunts show up, they try to force Gilly to marry their niece. Gilly, not wanting to force Ann into marriage, jumps out the window in a woman’s robe.
In the end, Ann blackmails her aunts into approving her marriage with Gilly, threatening to expose their scandalous behavior at a nightclub, where they were escorted by two gigolos (roommates of Gilly).
Cast
Loretta Young as Ann Harper Berry
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. as Gil “Gilly” Hayden
Louise Fazenda as Aunt Sarah Harper
Otis Harlan as Major Rupert Harper
Daphne Pollard as Agnes, Lucy’s maid
Edward Nugent as Andy Martin
Inez Courtney as Betty
Ethel Wales as Aunt Katherine Harper
Norman Selby as Terry Todd
Raymond Keane as Linton “Lint” Harper
Virginia Sale as Mrs. Berry of Walla Walla
Songs
The songs were written by Jack Meskill and Pete Wendling, and the dances were staged by Roy Mack.
“Loose Ankles” – sung by Inez Courtney
“Whoopin’ It Up”
