More like TWO WOMEN (Pauline Frederick & May McAvoy) AND A GUEST APPEARANCE (by Marie Prevost). Having only just found his definitive voice in THE MARRIAGE CIRCLE/’23, and soon to refine (and better) many of the themes here in LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN/’25, it’s understandable that this Ernst Lubitsch dramedy lies somewhat in the shade of its neighboring films. Understandable, but a pity, since this less breezy, largely serious drama has much of the sly innuendo, observational insight & cockeyed attitude of the society sex films that surround it. (Not only CIRCLE and FAN, but also the lost KISS ME AGAIN/’24 and the miraculously glamorous FORBIDDEN PARADISE/'24.) Typically, misdirected passion runs the story as impeccably dressed but debt-ridden ne’er-do-well Lew Cody woos Pauline Frederick, a rich widow of certain age, worried that college-aged daughter May McAvoy will only make her seem older. But a surprise visit sees Cody, after getting his loan from ‘mother,’ redirecting his passion toward May! Threats, blackmail, marriage, distress, disappointed young male suitor, and yet another woman for Cody . . . the skunk! That'd be Marie Prevost; late entry/little footage. At its best in the first act, when you’re not totally sure of Cody’s rotten character, with clever details and ‘roaring’ mid-‘20s atmosphere taking precedent over Mother Love tropes. The same structure applies in LADY WINDERMERE, and with McAvoy in much the same spot. But, thanks to Oscar Wilde’s plotting, it’s cleverly unconventional all the way thru. Here, nothing so original is being worked out. Still, on its own modest terms, well played and beautifully executed.
DOUBLE-BILL/LINK: As mentioned, LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN, perfecting many of the ideas in here, some of Lubitsch’s wittiest direction, plus Irene Rich & Ronald Colman in an outstanding cast. https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2013/10/lady-windermeres-fan-1925.html
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