Traveling Husbands

Last updated

Traveling Husbands
TravelingHusbands.1931.jpg
Theatrical poster for the film
Directed by Paul Sloane
Charles Kerr (assistant)
Written by Humphrey Pearson
Produced by William LeBaron
Starring Evelyn Brent
Cinematography Leo Tover
Edited by Archie Marshek
Music by Max Steiner
Production
company
Release dates
  • August 7, 1931 (1931-08-07)(Premiere-New York City)
  • August 15, 1931 (1931-08-15)(U.S.) [1]
Running time
73 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Traveling Husbands is a 1931 American pre-Code drama film directed by Paul Sloane based on a screenplay by Humphrey Pearson. The film stars Constance Cummings, Frank Albertson, Evelyn Brent, Dorothy Peterson and Hugh Herbert. Hugh Herbert's brother, Tom, made his screen debut with a small role in this film, billed as Tom Francis. Produced and distributed by RKO Radio Pictures, the film premiered in New York City on August 7, 1931, and was released nationwide the following week on August 15. It received mixed reviews from the critics.

Contents

Plot

While waiting to see the owner of the store who is potentially a new big client, Barry Greene, a traveling salesman, practices his sales pitch on Ellen Wilson. Unbeknownst to Barry, Ellen is the daughter of his potential client, J.C. Wilson. Her father, obsessed with business, has neglected his daughter. When she goes in to speak with her father, his usual lack of interest in her life causes her to decide to teach him a lesson by living a wild life. Angered by his daughter, when J.C. meets with Barry, he has no desire to listen to the salesman, and has him thrown out of the building. On his way out, Ellen offers him a ride to his hotel. En route, the two make a date for dinner that night.

Back at the hotel, Barry's compatriots, all "traveling husbands" (married traveling salesmen), are enjoying a party with several call girls. One of the prostitutes, Ruby Smith, has fallen in love with one of the salesmen, Ben Hall. Barry has no interest in joining the party, despondent over his failure with J.C. This is exacerbated when Barry learns that his expense account has been put on hold until he can prove himself. Not being able to afford his dinner with Ellen, he calls her up and cancels their dinner date. Disappointed that her dinner has been canceled, Ellen is determined to have a good time that evening, and decides to go to the hotel for dinner by herself. When Ellen shows up at the hotel she attracts Ben's attention, who joins her for dinner. After dinner, in an attempt to awe her, Ben takes Ellen on a whirlwind tour of Detroit nightspots.

When they arrive back at the hotel, Ben takes Ellen back to his room. When he attempts to force his attentions on her, her cries arouse several people, one of whom is Barry. When Barry bursts into Ben's room, an altercation occurs. In the dark, a gunshot is heard, and when the lights come on, Ben lies on the floor, shot. In the ensuing investigation, it is uncovered that Ruby shot Ben in a jealous fit of rage. Martha, Ben's wife, has arrived and reconciles with her husband. J.C. has also arrived, and realizes how he has ignored his daughter. He, Ellen and Barry leave the hotel together.

Cast

Critical reception

The film received mixed reviews from the critics. The New York Daily Mirror called it "entertaining", and said it was a "... serious melodrama, though it is deftly spiked with comedy". The Daily News labeled it "fantastic", although they did complain that the plot was mediocre. The Herald Tribune said the film "... moved smoothly and with considerable vigor and despite its faults, it is lively and engaging". The Sun , however, did not care for the film, calling it "melodrama at its worst." The World-Telegram also gave it a less than kind endorsement, saying that while the film "... flashed a few moments of amusement", those moments were so few and far between 'for comfort'". [2]

Photoplay complimented the acting, calling it "top notch", saying that the film was "risqué, but not objectionably so". [3] Silver Screen merely rated the film, "fair". [4]

Related Research Articles

<i>A Letter to Three Wives</i> 1949 film by Joseph L. Mankiewicz

A Letter to Three Wives is a 1949 American romantic comedy-drama which tells the story of a woman who mails a letter to three women, telling them she has left town with the husband of one of them, but not saying which one. It stars Jeanne Crain, Linda Darnell, Ann Sothern, Paul Douglas, Kirk Douglas, and Jeffrey Lynn. Thelma Ritter as "Sadie" and Celeste Holm are both uncredited.

Sam De Grasse Canadian actor

Samuel Alfred De Grasse was a Canadian actor.

Ben Lyon American actor

Ben Lyon was an American film actor and a studio executive at 20th Century-Fox who later acted in British radio, films and TV.

Frank Albertson American actor (1919–1996)

Francis Healey Albertson was an American actor who had supporting roles in films such as It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and Psycho (1960).

<i>Cimarron</i> (1960 film) 1960 film

Cimarron is a 1960 American Western film based on the Edna Ferber novel Cimarron. The film stars Glenn Ford and Maria Schell and was directed by Anthony Mann and Charles Walters, though Walters is not credited onscreen. Ferber's novel was previously adapted as a film in 1931; that version won three Academy Awards.

Hugh Herbert American actor and comedian (1885–1952)

Hugh Herbert was a motion picture comedian. He began his career in vaudeville and wrote more than 150 plays and sketches.

<i>Goodbye Again</i> (1933 film) 1933 film

Goodbye Again is a 1933 pre-Code romantic comedy film made by First National Pictures and Warner Bros.

"Traveling Salesmen" is the thirteenth episode of the third season of the American version of The Office, and the show's 41st overall. The episode was written by Michael Schur, Lee Eisenberg, and Gene Stupnitsky, and was directed by series creator and executive producer Greg Daniels. It first aired on January 11, 2007 in the United States on NBC.

<i>The Womens Room</i> 1977 book by Marilyn French

The Women's Room is the debut novel by American feminist author Marilyn French, published in 1977. It launched French as a major participant in the feminist movement and, while French states it is not autobiographical, the book reflects many autobiographical elements. For example, French, like the main character, Mira, was married and divorced, and then attended Harvard where she obtained a Ph.D. in English Literature. Despite the connection of The Women's Room to the feminist movement, French stated in a 1977 interview with The New York Times: "The Women's Room is not about the women's movement … but about women's lives today."

<i>Harry & Son</i> 1984 film by Paul Newman

Harry & Son is a 1984 American drama film directed by Paul Newman, who also stars. The screenplay by Newman and Ronald Buck focuses on the relationship between a blue-collar worker and his son, who fails at various odd jobs while aspiring to be a writer. Joanne Woodward, Ellen Barkin, Ossie Davis, Wilford Brimley, and Judith Ivey also star. The film also features Morgan Freeman in an early role.

<i>Behind Office Doors</i> 1931 film

Behind Office Doors is a 1931 pre-Code American drama film directed by Melville W. Brown, from a screenplay by Carey Wilson and J. Walter Ruben, based on Alan Schultz's 1929 novel, Private Secretary. It starred Mary Astor, Robert Ames and Ricardo Cortez, and revolved around the premise of "the woman behind the man". While not well received by critics, it did well at the box office.

<i>East Lynne</i> (1931 film) 1931 American film

East Lynne is a 1931 American pre-Code film version of Ellen Wood's eponymous 1861 novel, which was adapted by Tom Barry and Bradley King and directed by Frank Lloyd. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture but lost to RKO-Radio's Cimarron. East Lynne is a melodrama starring Ann Harding, Clive Brook, Conrad Nagel and Cecilia Loftus.

<i>Dinty</i> (film) 1920 film by Marshall Neilan

Dinty is a 1920 American silent comedy drama film written by Marshall Neilan and John McDermott specifically for Wesley Barry, a young actor known for his freckled complexion. Prominent among the supporting players were Colleen Moore, Marjorie Daw, Pat O'Malley, and Noah Beery.

Letters from Three Lovers is a 1973 made-for-television drama film directed by John Erman. An ABC Movie of the Week and a sequel to The Letters (1973), the film is co-produced by Aaron Spelling, written by Ann Marcus and stars Martin Sheen, Belinda Montgomery, Robert Sterling, June Allyson, Ken Berry and Juliet Mills, among others.

<i>Miss Pacific Fleet</i> 1935 film by Ray Enright

Miss Pacific Fleet is a 1935 American comedy film directed by Ray Enright. The film stars Joan Blondell, Glenda Farrell, and Hugh Herbert. The film was based on the short story of the same name by Frederick Hazlitt Brennan in the Collier's magazine. It was released by Warner Bros. on December 14, 1935. Two stranded showgirls in California enter a beauty contest "Miss Pacific Fleet" to win the fare back home to New York City.

<i>The Sin Ship</i> 1931 film

The Sin Ship is a 1931 American pre-Code drama film produced and distributed by RKO Radio Pictures and directed by the actor Louis Wolheim in his only directorial effort. The film marks the last contribution Wolheim made to the film industry prior to his death from cancer one month shy of his fifty-first birthday. In addition to directing, Wolheim also starred in the picture, alongside Mary Astor and Ian Keith. The screenplay was written by Hugh Herbert, from a story by Keene Thompson and Agnes Brand Leahy. The film was released in April 1931, two months after Wolheim's death, and is preserved at the Library of Congress.

<i>Traveling Saleslady</i> 1935 film by Ray Enright

Traveling Saleslady is a 1935 American comedy film directed by Ray Enright and starring Joan Blondell and Glenda Farrell. It was released by Warner Bros. on March 28, 1935. It is one of five films by Warner Bros. where Farrell and Blondell were paired as two blonde bombshells. The other films include: Havana Widows (1933), Kansas City Princess (1934), We're in the Money (1935) and Miss Pacific Fleet (1935). Actress Joan Blondell was married to the film's cinematographer George Barnes at the time of filming.

<i>Laugh and Get Rich</i> 1931 film directed by Gregory La Cava

Laugh and Get Rich is a 1931 pre-Code American comedy film, directed by Gregory La Cava, from a screenplay he also wrote with contributions from Douglas MacLean, who also was the associate producer, and Ralph Spence. The film stars Dorothy Lee, Edna May Oliver, Hugh Herbert, and Russell Gleason, and revolves around the antics in a boarding house in the early 1930s, run by Oliver, and the complications caused by her husband.

Tom Herbert American actor (1888-1946)

Tom Herbert was an American character actor of the 1930s and 1940s.

Personal Maid's Secret is a 1935 American comedy film directed by Arthur Greville Collins and written by Lillie Hayward and F. Hugh Herbert. The film stars Margaret Lindsay, Warren Hull, Anita Louise, Ruth Donnelly, Arthur Treacher and Frank Albertson. The film was released by Warner Bros. on October 26, 1935. A print is held by the Library of Congress.

References

  1. "Traveling Husbands: Detail View". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  2. "The Critics Say: Traveling Husbands". Motion Picture Daily. August 14, 1931. p. 3.
  3. "Brief Reviews of Current Pictures: Traveling Husbands". Photoplay. August 1931. p. 118.
  4. "Talkies in Tabloid: Traveling Husbands". Silver Screen. September 1931. p. 64. Retrieved August 4, 2015.