Frumpy housewife Norma Shearer treats husband Rod Larocque like a king, until his mistress shows up one Sunday morning to introduce herself. Three years after the divorce, a refurbished Miss Shearer shows up at Marie Dressler's to ensure the old lady's grand daughter marches down the aisle a decent girl. The threat to her virginity is Larocque.
It's set up as a star turn for Miss Shearer, also known as Mrs. Thalberg; production was rushed because she was pregnant with her first child, and showing by the end of the shoot. LaRocque is dull and whiny, the other men whom Miss Shearer captivates are dullards, and the only performer who offers her any competition is Miss Dressler. Not that there was any way of stopping her, but she does get the funny lines, and already understands how to act for sound movies. Miss Shearer is still a little exaggerated, her hands a distraction. Still, Frances Marion and Lucille Newmark punch up Rachel Carothers' play enough that it's fun, and director Robert Z. Leonard could get a good performance out of a block of wood, if not Larocque.
It's set up as a star turn for Miss Shearer, also known as Mrs. Thalberg; production was rushed because she was pregnant with her first child, and showing by the end of the shoot. LaRocque is dull and whiny, the other men whom Miss Shearer captivates are dullards, and the only performer who offers her any competition is Miss Dressler. Not that there was any way of stopping her, but she does get the funny lines, and already understands how to act for sound movies. Miss Shearer is still a little exaggerated, her hands a distraction. Still, Frances Marion and Lucille Newmark punch up Rachel Carothers' play enough that it's fun, and director Robert Z. Leonard could get a good performance out of a block of wood, if not Larocque.