This is a very good film for 1930, as the sound quality is excellent--something that CAN'T be said of all American films of the time. Plus, while the film generally takes place in an office, it doesn't have that "stagey" feel many early sound films have. Additionally, there's a gorgeous moonlight beach scene and so much of the camera-work was stellar--and the use of special lenses and filters made the lead look luminous. So, technically speaking, this is a very good film for the time.
The film begins with the owner of a publishing house talking with a very masculine female writer about writing a book about office romances. This very manly lady seems to be a stereotype, of sorts, for writers--sort of like a variation on Gertrude Stein. Well, this character is only used as a sort of introduction--the rest of the film revolves around the boss (Lewis Stone) and his new secretary, Dorothy Mackaill. While she is quite efficient, she also has designs on her boss--even though he recently married a lovely young lady. Over time, the workaholic boss does find himself falling for Mackaill, though her "sleep her way to the top" ideas lose out to her sense of decency--setting up a rather predictable but satisfying conclusion. Being a Pre-Code film, this adultery is all worked out to everyone's satisfaction and the film ends with everyone (or practically everyone) living happily ever after.
The film is actually pretty good apart from its technical merits. While the story was a tad predictable at times, the story was pretty adult and interesting. While titillating, it also had quite a bit of depth and is well worth a look.
By the way, in one of her earliest films, Joan Blondell plays the role of Mackaill's sister. Oddly, and true to the Pre-Code ideals, she spends almost all the film either in her underwear or naked in the tub. While they don't show anything that explicit, her scenes are quite steamy!
The film begins with the owner of a publishing house talking with a very masculine female writer about writing a book about office romances. This very manly lady seems to be a stereotype, of sorts, for writers--sort of like a variation on Gertrude Stein. Well, this character is only used as a sort of introduction--the rest of the film revolves around the boss (Lewis Stone) and his new secretary, Dorothy Mackaill. While she is quite efficient, she also has designs on her boss--even though he recently married a lovely young lady. Over time, the workaholic boss does find himself falling for Mackaill, though her "sleep her way to the top" ideas lose out to her sense of decency--setting up a rather predictable but satisfying conclusion. Being a Pre-Code film, this adultery is all worked out to everyone's satisfaction and the film ends with everyone (or practically everyone) living happily ever after.
The film is actually pretty good apart from its technical merits. While the story was a tad predictable at times, the story was pretty adult and interesting. While titillating, it also had quite a bit of depth and is well worth a look.
By the way, in one of her earliest films, Joan Blondell plays the role of Mackaill's sister. Oddly, and true to the Pre-Code ideals, she spends almost all the film either in her underwear or naked in the tub. While they don't show anything that explicit, her scenes are quite steamy!