Social Register (1934 film)
Encyclopedia
Social Register is a 1934 musical comedy-drama film starring Colleen Moore
. The film re-united her with her old friend and one of the first directors to give her film career a start, Marshall Neilan
. The film was based on the 1931 play of the same name by Anita Loos
and John Emerson
.
's party across the street. Charlie Breene (Alexander Kirkland
), Henry's spoiled son, comes to retrieve his tie and becomes infatuated with Patsy.
Three months later, Charlie gives Patsy a valuable diamond bracelet, which she reluctantly accepts. Back at her apartment, Lester Trout (Ross Alexander
), a saxophone player, convinces Patsy that he is ill and has lost his job. Patsy gives Lester the bracelet as a loan, against the advice of her friends, who are suspicious of him.
Charlie's mother, Mrs. Henry Horace "Maggie" Breene (Pauline Frederick
), fearful of her son's relationship with a plebian, arranges a party hoping Patsy's lack of social graces will ruin Charlie's affection for her. Finding the party boring, Patsy goes to the bar, where after a few drinks, she begins to entertain the guests who are slowly wandering in to escape the dull affair. Maggie, relying on the family patriarch, Uncle Jefferson Breene (Charles Winninger
), to end the romance, announces his arrival, but she is aghast when Patsy fondly hugs the old man whom she knows as "Jonesie," the friend of one of her roommates. Maggie then asks family attorney Albert Wiggins (Garvie) to end the romance, no matter the cost. Wiggins pays Lester to tell Patsy that he is ill and in need of her help. Charlie is informed about what Patsy did with the bracelet and accuses her of being unfaithful. Lester convinces Patsy to marry him, but as soon as they wed, she finds Wiggins' check for $5000 and realizes the truth. Patsy tears the check up, just as Charlie arrives with Jonesie, who arranges their reconciliation. Having only been married to Lester for ten minutes, Charlie has Wiggins arrange Patsy's annulment.
) was more sophisticated and adult than the women she had played at the height of her fame in the late 1920s. Neilan was a heavy drinker and over the years his reputation as a director was eroded by his drinking and his disdain for authority. This was one of his last major films.
Some scenes were filmed on location in New York City
.
Colleen Moore
Colleen Moore was an American film actress, and one of the most fashionable stars of the silent film era.-Early life:...
. The film re-united her with her old friend and one of the first directors to give her film career a start, Marshall Neilan
Marshall Neilan
Marshall Ambrose Neilan was an American motion picture actor, screenwriter, film director, and producer.-Early life:...
. The film was based on the 1931 play of the same name by Anita Loos
Anita Loos
Anita Loos was an American screenwriter, playwright and author.-Early life:Born Corinne Anita Loos in Sisson, California , where her father, R. Beers Loos, had opened a tabloid newspaper for which her mother, Minerva "Minnie" Smith did most of the work of a newspaper publisher...
and John Emerson
John Emerson
John Emerson was the 15th mayor of Calgary, Alberta. He was the mayor at the time that Alberta became a province of Canada, which was on September 1, 1905....
.
Story
Patsy Shaw (Moore) upsets a stuffy party at the home of wealthy Mr. Henry Breene (John Miltern) by stealing a necktie to win the scavenger hunt at Robert BenchleyRobert Benchley
Robert Charles Benchley was an American humorist best known for his work as a newspaper columnist and film actor...
's party across the street. Charlie Breene (Alexander Kirkland
Alexander Kirkland
Alexander Kirkland was a leading man in Hollywood during the early sound era, as well as a notable actor in Pittsburgh theatre. He was born in Mexico City, Mexico. He was recognized more for being the husband of Gypsy Rose Lee from 1942 to 1944...
), Henry's spoiled son, comes to retrieve his tie and becomes infatuated with Patsy.
Three months later, Charlie gives Patsy a valuable diamond bracelet, which she reluctantly accepts. Back at her apartment, Lester Trout (Ross Alexander
Ross Alexander
Ross Alexander was an American stage and film actor.- Early life :Born Alexander Ross Smith in Brooklyn, New York, Alexander began his acting career in Broadway productions during the 1920s. By 1926 he was regarded as a promising leading man, with good looks and an easy and charming style and...
), a saxophone player, convinces Patsy that he is ill and has lost his job. Patsy gives Lester the bracelet as a loan, against the advice of her friends, who are suspicious of him.
Charlie's mother, Mrs. Henry Horace "Maggie" Breene (Pauline Frederick
Pauline Frederick
Pauline Frederick was a leading Broadway actress who later became known for her motion picture work.-Early years:...
), fearful of her son's relationship with a plebian, arranges a party hoping Patsy's lack of social graces will ruin Charlie's affection for her. Finding the party boring, Patsy goes to the bar, where after a few drinks, she begins to entertain the guests who are slowly wandering in to escape the dull affair. Maggie, relying on the family patriarch, Uncle Jefferson Breene (Charles Winninger
Charles Winninger
Charles Winninger was an American stage and film actor, most often cast in comedies or musicals, but equally at home in drama.-Biography:He began as a vaudeville actor...
), to end the romance, announces his arrival, but she is aghast when Patsy fondly hugs the old man whom she knows as "Jonesie," the friend of one of her roommates. Maggie then asks family attorney Albert Wiggins (Garvie) to end the romance, no matter the cost. Wiggins pays Lester to tell Patsy that he is ill and in need of her help. Charlie is informed about what Patsy did with the bracelet and accuses her of being unfaithful. Lester convinces Patsy to marry him, but as soon as they wed, she finds Wiggins' check for $5000 and realizes the truth. Patsy tears the check up, just as Charlie arrives with Jonesie, who arranges their reconciliation. Having only been married to Lester for ten minutes, Charlie has Wiggins arrange Patsy's annulment.
Cast
- Colleen MooreColleen MooreColleen Moore was an American film actress, and one of the most fashionable stars of the silent film era.-Early life:...
- Patsy Shaw - Charles WinningerCharles WinningerCharles Winninger was an American stage and film actor, most often cast in comedies or musicals, but equally at home in drama.-Biography:He began as a vaudeville actor...
- "Jonesie," also known as Uncle Jefferson Breene - Pauline FrederickPauline FrederickPauline Frederick was a leading Broadway actress who later became known for her motion picture work.-Early years:...
- Mrs. Henry Horace "Maggie" Breene - Alexander KirklandAlexander KirklandAlexander Kirkland was a leading man in Hollywood during the early sound era, as well as a notable actor in Pittsburgh theatre. He was born in Mexico City, Mexico. He was recognized more for being the husband of Gypsy Rose Lee from 1942 to 1944...
- Charlie Breene - Robert BenchleyRobert BenchleyRobert Charles Benchley was an American humorist best known for his work as a newspaper columnist and film actor...
- Himself - Ross AlexanderRoss AlexanderRoss Alexander was an American stage and film actor.- Early life :Born Alexander Ross Smith in Brooklyn, New York, Alexander began his acting career in Broadway productions during the 1920s. By 1926 he was regarded as a promising leading man, with good looks and an easy and charming style and...
- Lester Trout - Margaret LivingstonMargaret LivingstonMargaret Livingston was an American film actress, most notable for her work during the silent film era....
- Gloria - Olive Olsen - Ruth
- John Miltern - Mr. Henry Breene
- Roberta Robinson - Kay
- Hans HansenHans HansenHans Hansen, called Hans í Mikladali from Mikladalur, Faroe Islands was a Faroese painter. Four of his paintings were featured on a series of Faroese stamps issued in September 1998:- External links :...
- Chris - Edward Garvie - Albert Wiggins
- Ramona - Ramona
- Frey & Bragiotti - Piano duo
- Georgette HarveyGeorgette HarveyGeorgette Harvey was an American singer and actress, perhaps most famous for creating the role of Maria in the original 1935 Broadway production of George Gershwin's opera Porgy and Bess.-External links:*...
- Lulu
Songs
- "Honey Dear," music by Ford Dabney and Con ConradCon ConradCon Conrad was an American songwriter and producer.-Biography:Con Conrad was born Conrad K. Dober in New York City. He published his first song, "Down in Dear Old New Orleans", in 1912. Conrad produced the Broadway show The Honeymoon Express, starring Al Jolson, in 1913...
, lyrics by Edward HeymanEdward HeymanEdward Heyman was an American musician and lyricist, best known for his compositions "Body and Soul", "When I Fall in Love", and "For Sentimental Reasons". He also contributed many songs for films.-Biography:... - "I Didn't Want to Love You," music by Conrad, lyrics by Ned WashingtonNed WashingtonNed Washington was an American lyricist.-Biography:Washington was nominated for eleven Academy Awards from 1940 to 1962...
- "Why Not," music by Conrad, lyrics by Heyman.
Background
After several years of semi-retirement from Hollywood, Colleen returned to the film industry. The character she played in this film, while still working class (as they were in her other films for Neilan, like Dinty and Her Wild OatHer Wild Oat
Her Wild Oat is a silent comedy film made by First National Pictures, directed by Marshall Neilan, and starring Colleen Moore. The screenplay was written by Gerald C...
) was more sophisticated and adult than the women she had played at the height of her fame in the late 1920s. Neilan was a heavy drinker and over the years his reputation as a director was eroded by his drinking and his disdain for authority. This was one of his last major films.
Some scenes were filmed on location in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.