Sidney Franklin directed this pre-Code comedy of manners, with a screenplay by Hanns Kräly and Richard Schayer based on Noël Coward’s 1930 famous play, in which he had also acted.
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Grade: B
Elyot Chase and Amanda Prynne, divorced after tempestuous marriage, are dismayed to discover they both have honeymoon with their new spouses at the same hotel on the French Riviera.
Elyot finds his bride Sybil’s questions about Amanda annoying, while Amanda wishes her new husband Victor would stop referring to Elyot.
When Elyot discovers Amanda on the terrace shared by their adjoining suites, he insists he and Sybil immediately depart for Paris, the same plan Amanda proposes to Victor. The two ex-spouses quarrel with their new mates, both of whom set off.
Elyot and Amanda rekindle their relationship, making pact to end their verbal battles when either one utters the name “Solomon Isaacs.” The two then abandon and flee to St. Moritz, but the spat evolves into major fight about a record that Amanda breaks over Elyot’s head, leading to destruction of the hotel room.
Rushing out, Amanda meets Victor and Sybil, who have tracked down the duo, and they all become involved in the dispute.
Things finally calm down, and the two couples meet for breakfast the next day, but when Victor and Sybil begin to fight, Elyot and Amanda depart the resort.
Noël Coward’s play proved was a hit both in London and on Broadway, and MGM’s Irving Thalberg bought the rights for his, Norma Shearer. Coward was uncertain if Shearer could handle the sophisticated dialogue of his comedy of manners, but the actress confidently proclaimed, “I don’t care what he thinks – he thinks in theater terms – I think in film terms!” Fir co-star, she suggested Robert Montgomery, with whom she had already made three films.
The studio filmed the play with Coward and Gertrude Lawrence, and the cast was encouraged to follow it. Finally, Coward was pleased with the outcome, describing the leads as “perfectly charming.” The film’s critical acclaim and financial success helped Coward sell the film rights to his other plays and scripts.
While Una Merkel and Reginald Denny struggled with their roles, Shearer and Montgomery handled better the swift and witty dialogue.
Sidney Franklin’s direction is too simple (even primitive), but it’s important to remember that Private Lives was an early sound picture.
Exteriors were shot in Franklin Canyon in Santa Monica Mountains and Glacier National Park, Montana.
The song “Someday I’ll Find You” sung by Shearer, was written by Coward.
Cast
Norma Shearer as Amanda Prynne
Robert Montgomery as Elyot Chase
Reginald Denny as Victor Prynne
Una Merkel as Sibyl Chase
Jean Hersholt as Oscar
George Davis as Bell Hop
Credits:
Directed by Sidney Franklin
Written by Hanns Kräly, Richard Schayer, based on Private Lives 1930 play by Noël Coward
Produced by Irving Thalberg
Cinematography Ray Binger
Edited by Conrad A. Nervig
Music by William Axt
Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date: December 12, 1931
Running time: 84 minutes
