"The Law and the Lady" is a delicious caper comedy. It's also a great spoof of upper class society and the rich. And it's a romance and love story to boot. The capers are in the form of scams and schemes to film-flam the rich. So, they are crimes. But, fair warning - it will be very tempting to not regard them as such in this film. In the end, justice is done - in an unexpected, humorous, and pleasing way.
One knows he or she is in for a real treat from the very start. The film opens with a text that reads, "This story begins in London at the turn of the century (20th). If they had known what was ahead, they never would have turned it." What follows is one of the funniest, wittiest, and most clever plots ever put on film in such an endearing story. It's a wonderful satire and hilarious spoof of royalty and high society.
This is actually the third movie that was based on a 1925 play by English writer and actor, Frederick Lonsdale. All three were made by MGM, and the 1929 and 1937 films kept the title of the play, "The Last of Mrs. Cheney." They all had fine casts of prominent actors of the day and were successful at the box office - as was the play that ran for 514 performances in London. But each of these films had quite different versions and adaptations so that they were different stories around a similar plot, with some of the same and some different characters and locales.
This is one instance when I think each succeeding version topped the one before it. The first film, in 1929, was very talky and stage-bound, as were most of the earliest sound pictures. The 1937 film was clearly in the modern era of motion pictures, and the roles were also better. But neither of those could compare with this last MGM production of "The Law and the Lady."
One normally doesn't think of Greer Garson in comedy. She acted in just a few comedies. But her role as Julia Packett in "Julie Misbehaves" of 1948 proved how adroit she was in comedy. That is one of the absolutely funniest films of all time. And, what a cast of actors who are well-remembered among cinephiles well into the 21st century. It's somewhat ironic that Garson apparently wanted to do more comedy films, but she became known mostly for some wonderful dramatic roles and movies.
Garson had the theater persona of a dignified and proper, yet warm and caring woman. Yet her film persona fits perfectly for her role as Jane Hoskins, aka Lady Lovely, in this film. Her co-star, on the other hand, was an old hand at comedy, as well as drama. Michael Wilding is the perfect English gentleman and gadabout, Nigel Duxbury. He was born five minutes too late to be first in the family's royal line. He actually does double duty as his twin brother, the Baron of Duxbury, in the short film opening. Nigel is the witty disinherited man with a zest for life - just the right person to lead Jane astray.
IIt's all very innocent (well, except for the scam operations) and very funny. The brilliant script has scattered witticisms, quips and rejoinders throughout. Most, but not all of this, is from the two leads. But a supporting cast that includes Marjorie Main, Fernando Lamas and Rhys Willaims just cemented this as a great comedy.
Here are some sample lines from this great film.
Baroness, "But you'll get no character (reference, from me)." Jane, "I'm not interested in the character, baroness. I'm thinking of becoming a lady and for that no character is necessary."
Jane, "Mr. Duxbury, you are without question the most dishonest, the most immoral, the most unprincipled man I ever met in my life." Nigel, "That would sound more convincing if your hot little fist wasn't stuffed with money. But if it will make you any happier, we can always give it back - your half." Jane, "Let's not be too hasty, Mr. Duxbury. We can think more clearly when we've had a little wine."
Nigel, "You talk like Gladstone and look like Helen of Troy." Jane, "You look like a duke and act like the Artful Dodger."
Jane, "I shall find a man worth 10,000 ($1.2 million in 2015) a year and marry him." Nigel, "What about love?" Jane, "I have no objection to love as long as he still has the 10,000."
Jane, "This would be purely a working arrangement?" Nigel, "Oh, incredibly pure." Jane, "Then why the diamonds?" Nigel, "Because, without them you are Jane Hoskins, but with them you are Lady Lovely."
Jane, "You promised that our relationship was going to be incredibly pure." Nigel, "Yes, now it's purely incredible."
Tracy Collans (played by Hayden Rorke), "Hoskins, place me next to Lady Lovely at supper." Nigel, "That might be a bit of a problem, sir." Collans, "Solve it, Hoskins, and I'll make it worth your while." Nigel, "Bribery, sir?" Collans, "Yes." Nigel, "I just wanted to make sure."
Juan, "Do you like pigs, Lady Lovely?" Jane, "I've met so few."
Julia Wortin (played by Marjorie Main), "You oughta marry again, Jane." Jane, "You didn't." Julia, "At my age a good cook is more important than a husband."
Jane, "He offered me a hundred servants, a house of my own, and 8,000 pigs. He wants to marry me, Nigel."
Jane, "Nigel, I've been thinking. Couldn't you pinch the silver?" Nigel, "Oh, that's a very brilliant idea, indeed. I shall leave the house with one bag and four barrels?"
Julia, "They disappeared like beer at a policeman's picnic."
Juan, "You must love him." Jane, "Oh no. I hate him." Juan, "Jane, if ever I find a woman who can hate me so passionately, then I will know it is love."
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