The Matrimonial Bed (1930)

It is the fifth anniversary of the death of Adolphe Noblet who died in a train wreck. His servant and friends still worship him but don't care much for his wife Sylvaine's second husband ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Curtiz

Writers:

Yves Mirande (by), André Mouézy-Éon (by),

Stars:

Frank Fay, James Gleason, Lilyan Tashman

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Frank Fay	...	Leopold Trebel
James Gleason	...	Gustave Corton
Lilyan Tashman	...	Sylvaine
Beryl Mercer	...	Corinne
Florence Eldridge	...	Juliet Corton
Vivien Oakland	...	Susan Trebel
Arthur Edmund Carewe	...	Dr. Fried (credits) / Dr. Beaudine (in film) (as Arthur Edmund Carew)
Marion Byron	...	Marrieanne
Flora Finch	...	Vosin
James Bradbury Sr.	...	August Charbonnier

Storyline

It is the fifth anniversary of the death of Adolphe Noblet who died in a train wreck. His servant and friends still worship him but don't care much for his wife Sylvaine's second husband Gustave with whom she has recently had a child. Sylvaine's friends recommend that she use a new hairdresser, Leopold Trebel. However, when this womanizing coiffeur arrives, he turns out to be Adolphe suffering from amnesia. A doctor restores his memory using hypnosis but in the process wipes out everything that has happened to him over the last five years. Adolphe thinks he has been unconscious for only a few hours and the doctor tries to keep the truth from him thinking the shock could kill him. This becomes even more difficult as Leopold's wife, with whom he has had two sets of twins, shows up and insists he is Leopold. Gustave finally tells Adolphe/Leopold the truth and he is left with the decision of which man and in which family he wants to be.

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Plot Keywords:

doctor | hairdresser | amnesia | paris france | railway accident | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 August 1930 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Matrimonial Problem

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros, Vitaphone Corporation, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

69 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Apparatus)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The English version of the play, by Seymour Hicks, opened in New York on 12 October 1927 and had 13 performances.

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Crazy Credits

Arthur Edmund Carewe is billed as Dr. Fried in the credits, but actually plays Dr. Beaudine.

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Connections

Version of Mr. What's-His-Name? (1935)

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Soundtracks

"Fleur D'Amour"
(1930) (uncredited)
Music and Lyrics by Sidney D. Mitchell, George W. Meyer and Archie Gottler
Played during the opening credits and as background music often
Played on piano and sung by Frank Fay
Reprised by Frank Fay singing, with background music

User Reviews

Very well written pre-code farce

The complications in this plot are myriad. This was a very funny movie. The plot was truly improbable. It probably started as a French stage play. The ending was the only real way out for Fay and I suppose was inevitable. The relationship complications were remarkable and are what made this flick memorable.