By Glenn Erickson
Age of Indiscretion
Brief Synopsis
A moralistic publisher discovers his wife is cheating on him.
Cast & Crew
Read More
Edward Ludwig
Director
Paul Lukas
Robert Lenhart
Madge Evans
Maxine Bennett
Helen Vinson
Eve Lenhart
May Robson
Emma Shaw
David Jack Holt
Bill Lenhart
Film Details
Genre
Drama
Classic Hollywood
Release Date
May
10,
1935
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp.
Distribution Company
Loew's Inc.
Country
United States
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 18m
Sound
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
8 reels
Synopsis
When book publisher Robert Lenhart is forced to pay $23,000 in overdue debts to his creditors, he begins to economize both at the office and at home. Bob loves his extravagent wife Eve and is unhappy that he must ask her to cut down on her lavish purchases. Before breaking the news to his wife, the good-natured Bob consults with his secretary, Maxine Bennett, who confirms his fears that Eve may not accept his demands gladly. Maxine's predictions prove true when Eve explodes at her husband, accusing him of not doing what is necessary to maintain high profits at the publishing house. Eve knows that Bob is proud of the company he spent ten years to build and that he refuses to publish novels of lesser quality and higher popularity, such as those written by the ever-popular Jean Oliver. The hard-nosed Eve, having lost her patience with her husband's romantic literary notions, leaves Bob and their son Bill for the wealthy Felix Shaw, with whom she has been having an affair. Spurred on by his wife's departure, Bob decides to consider publishing the novels of Jean Oliver, and arranges a meeting with her. It is the brash and pretentious Oliver who, after flitting around the publisher's office, informs him that the day's papers are carrying the story of Eve's Reno divorce and her marriage to Shaw. Depressed and broken-hearted, Bob then is forced to explain the meaning of divorce to his son, young Bill. When Maxine, a kind woman who secretly loves her boss, takes Bill for an ice skating outing, Bob decides to join them, and the three share a lovely evening together. Meanwhile, Felix's matronly mother Emma, who longs for a grandson, orders her son to convince his new wife that Bill's proper place is with his mother. After a lengthy quarrel with Felix, Eve grudgingly agrees to fetch her son. However, when she asks Bob for custody of Bill, she is met with resistance, and both agree to let Bill decide. The boy chooses to spend time with his mother as soon as he returns with his father from their planned Christmas vacation in the Adirondack mountains. While vacationing, Bill's sled accidentally runs into Emma, who admonishes the boy for coming onto her property. The next morning, Emma brings Bill a gift and discovers Maxine, who has come to the cabin to bring business-related news, involved in a bedroom pillow fight with Bob and his son. Emma immediately instructs her attorney to bring a suit against Bob based on the scene she had witnessed, and a bitter trial ensues. Bob, genuinely afraid of losing his son, explodes with anger at the insinuations that he and Maxine were indiscreet in front of the boy, and is held in contempt of court. Just as the judge is about to rule in favor of custody for Eve, little Bill, unable to stand any more of the angry proceedings, tells Emma that he despises her, thus prompting her to confess her selfish desire to possess a grandchild at any cost. After Emma admits that she lied and deceived people in order to get Bill, the judge awards Bob custody of his son. Bill, in an act of good will, forgives Emma and invites her to lunch with his father and Maxine. All ends happily as Bob and Maxine face the future together with Bill.
Director
Edward Ludwig
Director
Cast
Paul Lukas
Robert Lenhart
Madge Evans
Maxine Bennett
Helen Vinson
Eve Lenhart
May Robson
Emma Shaw
David Jack Holt
Bill Lenhart
Ralph Forbes
Felix Shaw
Catharine Doucet
Jean Oliver
Beryl Mercer
Mrs. Williams
Minor Watson
Mr. Adams
Shirley Ross
Dotty
Stuart Casey
Miles
Adrian Morris
Gus
George Irving
Judge
Walter Walker
Mr. Harris
Christian Rub
Briggs
Bert Roach
Rotarian
Ginger Connolly
Jimmy
Ray Cooke
Bell hop
Edward Cooper
Butler
George Guhl
Court attendant
Sherry Hall
Court clerk
Mary Mclaren
Maid
Paul Stanton
Crew
Lenore Coffee
Original Story
George Folsey
Photography
Otis Garrett
Screenwriter
Cedric Gibbons
Art Director
Philip Goldstone
Producer
Leon Gordon
Screenwriter
Franz Gruber
Composer
Ernest Haller
Photography
William A. Horning
Art Director Associate
Joseph Mohr
Composer
Roy Rowland
Assistant Director
Douglas Shearer
Recording Director
Dolly Tree
Wardrobe
Edwin B. Willis
Art Director Associate
Hugh Wynn
Film Editor
Film Details
Genre
Drama
Classic Hollywood
Release Date
May
10,
1935
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp.
Distribution Company
Loew's Inc.
Country
United States
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 18m
Sound
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
8 reels
Articles
Age of Indiscretion -
Although its title reminded contemporary critics of silent exposés about 'flaming youth' scandals, The Age of Indiscretion (1935) is a drama about divorce, a subject that came under close scrutiny after the full enforcement of the Production Code. The real consequences of broken marriages were no longer acceptable as movie material, but the marital woes of the glamorous rich were allowed, perhaps because tragedy in mansions and penthouses was by definition less sordid. This upscale potboiler concerns the principled publisher Robert Lenhart (Paul Lukas), who refuses to maximize profits by releasing trashy but popular books. Robert's spoiled wife Eve (Helen Vinson) resents her allowance being cut, and leaves him to marry her wealthy lover Felix (Ralph Forbes). More trouble comes from Felix's grasping mother Emma (May Robson), who desperately wants a grandchild. Emma sues for custody of Robert and Eve's son Bill (David Holt) by misrepresenting Robert's relationship with his executive secretary Maxine (Madge Bennett). The main point of contention is a 'scandalous' pillow fight Emma witnessed between Maxine and Robert. It all ends up in a desperate court battle. Age of Indiscretion was paralleled in the news by a concurrent high profile battle for the custody of ten year-old heiress Gloria Vanderbilt. A paternal aunt also instigated those proceedings, with the four million-dollar Vanderbilt trust rumored to be the motivating factor. Lenore J. Coffee's original story makes the Lenhart breakup a matter of money as well, with poor Robert having to explain to his son the meaning of divorce. Reviewers criticized the familiarity of the storyline and director Edward Ludwig's uneven pacing. But they praised the acting of young David Holt (no relation to Tim Holt) and that of veteran May Robson, a favorite since her Oscar-nominated role in Frank Capra's Lady for a Day. Robson's Emma finally breaks down in court, giving the film its most dramatic scene.
By Glenn Erickson
By Glenn Erickson
Age of Indiscretion -
Although its title reminded contemporary critics of silent exposés about 'flaming youth' scandals, The Age of Indiscretion (1935) is a drama about divorce, a subject that came under close scrutiny after the full enforcement of the Production Code. The real consequences of broken marriages were no longer acceptable as movie material, but the marital woes of the glamorous rich were allowed, perhaps because tragedy in mansions and penthouses was by definition less sordid. This upscale potboiler concerns the principled publisher Robert Lenhart (Paul Lukas), who refuses to maximize profits by releasing trashy but popular books. Robert's spoiled wife Eve (Helen Vinson) resents her allowance being cut, and leaves him to marry her wealthy lover Felix (Ralph Forbes). More trouble comes from Felix's grasping mother Emma (May Robson), who desperately wants a grandchild. Emma sues for custody of Robert and Eve's son Bill (David Holt) by misrepresenting Robert's relationship with his executive secretary Maxine (Madge Bennett). The main point of contention is a 'scandalous' pillow fight Emma witnessed between Maxine and Robert. It all ends up in a desperate court battle. Age of Indiscretion was paralleled in the news by a concurrent high profile battle for the custody of ten year-old heiress Gloria Vanderbilt. A paternal aunt also instigated those proceedings, with the four million-dollar Vanderbilt trust rumored to be the motivating factor. Lenore J. Coffee's original story makes the Lenhart breakup a matter of money as well, with poor Robert having to explain to his son the meaning of divorce. Reviewers criticized the familiarity of the storyline and director Edward Ludwig's uneven pacing. But they praised the acting of young David Holt (no relation to Tim Holt) and that of veteran May Robson, a favorite since her Oscar-nominated role in Frank Capra's Lady for a Day. Robson's Emma finally breaks down in court, giving the film its most dramatic scene. By Glenn Erickson
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
A Hollywood Reporter pre-production news item noted that Mickey Rooney was considered for a part in this picture. A Daily Variety pre-production news item stated that the snow scenes would be shot at Lake Tahoe, California. This film marked actress Helen Vinson's first film for M-G-M. It was also producer Philip Goldstone's and director Edward Ludwig's first picture for the studio. Although Hollywood Reporter production charts listed actors Samuel Hinds, Mary Jo Matthews and Flush in the cast, their participation in the final film has not been confirmed. An unidentified source in the AMPAS production file credits Howard Bristol with the set decoration along with Edwin B. Willis. According to information in the MPAA/PCA Collection at the AMPAS Library, Age of Indiscretion was rejected by the censor board in Quebec because of the divorce court scenes and others.
