The second in what I hope will be several posts on lost and, now, forgotten films of the Pre-code era. For more information on lost films and film preservation go to the National Film Preservation Foundation
Although he was initially brought to Hollywood in early 1931 to appear in Expensive Women (1931) with Dolores Costello and H.B. Warner, Honor of the Family (1931) will always be recognised as Warren William's first speaking role. In the romantic melodrama based on a play by
Balzac, William was cast as the romantic lead Captain Boris Barony, who
apparently wowed audiences with his charm, striking good looks and skill when
fencing without wearing a shirt. I say 'apparently' because this film is now
lost and not available for viewing by modern film audiences. Nevertheless, Honor
of the Family provided William's breakout Hollywood performance with many more
hits to come, including Under 18 (1931) later that year.
Despite William being undeniably perfect for
the role, newspaper articles from the period show that Walter Huston was
initially contracted to star in the film. Newspapers, such as, Film Daily
reported Huston as appearing in the film from around June 1930 until
approximately January, 1931. An example of a press article includes:
"James
Ashmore Creelman is writing the adaption and dialogue for 'The Honor of the
Family' from the Otis Skinner stage play which First National will use as a
vehicle for Walter Huston."
An article in the Evening Independent on
December, 15 1930 said Huston would be returning from Europe in January to
complete the film. In the resources available, the film's lead is not mentioned
from late January until April 24 when William is announced to be leading man:
"Warren
William who made his debut on the talking screen by playing opposite Dolores
Costello in "Expensive Women" for Warner Bros will play opposite Bebe
Daniels in "The Honor of the Family"."
To make things easier, here is a timeline of
the making of the film:
Film Timeline:
-
June 17 1930: Walter Huston announced as lead in new film
-
July 18 1930: Lenore Coffee assigned to adaption
-
January 18 1931: James Ashmore Creelman named as writer
-
March 30 1931: Bebe Daniels named as female lead
-
April 3 1931: Lloyd Bacon named as director. Film now discussed as a 'Bebe
Daniels vehicle' instead of a 'Walter Huston film'
-
April 24 1931: Warren William announced as lead
-
April 30 1931: "Bebe Daniels leave on the Century today for Hollywood to
begin work in "The Honor of the Family" for First National
-
May 7 1931 - Pending the beginning of rehearsals of "The Honor of the
Family" the next Bebe Daniels vehicle, Warren William, well-known Broadway
actor, is lending a hand at the First National dramatic training school,
assisting Ivan Simpson."
-
May 7 1931 - Margaret Fielding announced as appearing in a "prominent
role". She however was not in the final cast.
-
May 10 1931 - Dita Parlo has been assigned to First National "The Honor of
the Family". It will be her first English speaking role.
-
May 14 1931 - "Production has begun at First National studios on "The
Honor of the Family", the next Bebe Daniels starring vehicle.
-
May 25 1931 - "Blanche Friderici and C. Henry Gordon are late additions to
the case of "The Honor of the Family" now in production at the First
National studios.
-
June 7 1931 - "Honor of the Family" completed.
-
July 4 1931 - "The First National production of "Honor of the
Family" recently completed at the West Coast studios with Bebe Daniels in
the leading role, will be previewed at a theatre near Los Angeles next week.
The cutters have finished with the film and it will soon be nationally
released. Miss Daniels and her husband, Ben Lyon, are still vacationing in
Hawaii. In "Honor of the Family", Warren William, a recent importation
from the Broadway stage, will be seen opposite the stage in a role adapted from
that which Otis Skinner played for several seasons in the stage version of this
play."
-
October 17 1931 - Film released.
According to film critics, the film bore little
resemblance to the original play. The final cut was seen as a romantic
melodrama with a hint of comedy. As Laura, Daniels plays the typical Pre-code
role of a 'bad girl' treated sympathetically. She is the mistress/ nurse of a
wealthy Hungarian man, Paul Barony (Fredrick Kerr), who is intent on marrying
her. His nephew Captain Boris Barony (Williams) sweeps in before plans can be
made and pressures Laura into running away. Obeying his uncle’s request, Boris
Barony follows her and finds Laura with her lover Tony Revere (Alan Mowbray). Boris
Barony tricks her into returning to the castle and gives her an ultimatum. To
do as he says or he will destroy his uncle's will in which she is sole
beneficiary. Despite their hatred, Laura and Boris Barony start falling for
each other. In order to remove Tony, Boris Barony goads him into a duel and
kills him. When Boris Barony sends Laura away, Barony begs him to bring her
back which he agrees to if Barony gives him money. Paul signs a blank check.
Boris Barony stops Laura, who has been driving outside the house in her car. He
joins her in the car and they ride away together.
At a little over an hour, the film was jammed
packed with action. Although it was not considered a 'serious' film, many
critics praised it's entertainment value as well as performances from the two
leads. One said, ""don't overlook this naughtiest picture of the month".
Others said:
"There
is a touch of the swashbuckling days of Doug Fairbanks and a bit of the
romantic glamour of the handsome Chevalier in Warren William, who plays with
gusto the hero role…He is an ardent lover - one of the 'treat 'em rough'
variety. And he is mannish enough to satisfy the male customers. He does his
fighting with swords and pistols…Bebe Daniels is the incentive in the love
scenes to which may be credited some of William's success in that direction,
for Miss Daniels is at her best."
"It
presents some startlingly interesting characters and succeeds in being
melodrama, comedy and romance at the same time."
"Masterpiece
of the stage becomes the masterpiece of the screen…Full of action and vim,
guaranteed entertainment, too charming to be naughty and too naughty to be
missed."
