How to Undress in Front of Your Husband

How to Undress in Front of Your Husband is a 1937 short comedic film directed by Dwain Esper.[1]

How to Undress in Front of Your Husband
Theatrical release poster
Directed byDwain Esper
Screenplay byHildagarde Stadie
Starring
Narrated byAlbert Van Antwerp
Music byHerb Eicke
CinematographyRoland Price
Release date
1937
Running time
14 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

In an opening narrative, the filmmaker explains that many of man's pleasures (such as beer and cigarettes) have been made safer and more enjoyable through technology, but that no such improvement has been made for women. The film thus strives to teach women how to please their husbands in the bedroom.

The film is shot through the eyes of a peeping Tom paparazzo, who leeringly takes lurid shots of celebrities in the privacy of their own homes. Two examples of his work are given: Elaine Barrymore, who serves as the example of how to undress properly, and Trixie Friganza, vaudeville and opera star in one of her last starring roles, as the example of how not to undress, as each comes home from a party. Elaine demonstrates natural seduction skills and grace in her slow, methodical undress, which the narrator surmises is how she landed her husband John, the "world's greatest lover." Trixie, on the other hand, is shown as irritated and slovenly as she tersely yanks off her garments and throws them on the ground.

At the very end of the film, as the paparazzo develops his pictures, his wife angrily calls her husband to dinner.

Cast

Production

The film humorously censors itself by blocking a revealing scene in which the narrator deadpans, "and that man's here again." However, the release was not without controversy. A copyright infringement suit was filed against Elaine Barrie and Dwain Esper claiming that E. K. Nadel had exclusive rights to the title.[2] John Barrymore and his family were angered by Barrie's appearance in the film and the portrayal of their marriage.[3] Though the Barrymores reconciled,[4] they divorced permanently in 1940.

See also

References
  1. "How to Undress". Catalog of Holdings the American Film Institute Collection and the United Artists Collection at the Library of Congress. American Film Institute. 1978. p. 84. ASIN B00FPOMTYG.
  2. "Elaine Barrymore's Title Right Doubted". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. United Press International. 13 June 1937. p. 7.
  3. Martin, Douglas (4 March 2003). "Elaine Barrie, 87, Dies; Married Barrymore". The New York Times.
  4. "John Barrymore And Elaine Barrie Reconciled Again". Ottawa Citizen. June 21, 1937. p. 1.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.