Springtime for Henry


1h 13m 1934

Film Details

Also Known As
Forbidden Lips
Genre
Adaptation
Comedy
Romance
Release Date
May 25, 1934
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Fox Film Corp.; Jesse L. Lasky Productions
Distribution Company
Fox Film Corp.
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the play Springtime for Henry by Benn W. Levy (New York, 9 Dec 1931).

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 13m
Film Length
6,695ft (8 reels)

Synopsis

Henry Dewlip, a self-indulgent playboy and the owner of America's biggest car company, indulges in a springtime flirtation at his home with a stenographer, as his current interest, Julia Jelliwell, arrives early for tea. Angry with him, she accuses him of constantly seeing how far he can get with a woman without making any commitment. Henry replies that the thought of marriage, "repels every one of my finer instincts." Julia's husband Johnny, an old schoolmate of Henry's, arrives, and Julia hides in a bedroom. Having purchased Caribona Carburetors, Johnny wants a contract with Dewlip Motors. Henry refuses, reminding Johnny of how he used to pinch Henry's bottom in the school chapel. Henry's new secretary, Miss Smith, then arrives, and having heard of Henry's slovenly, womanizing reputation, she wants to help him change. Taking an interest in Miss Smith, Henry agrees and starts getting up early, exercising, eating healthy foods and taking a real interest in his company. Henry and Miss Smith go to a company board meeting, where Johnny is again refused the carburetor contract. Johnny and Miss Smith take a liking to each other, and after Johnny tells her that his wife is in a mental institution, they make a date. When Julia tries to rekindle her romance with Henry, he refuses her advances, and she is stymied because of his transformation. After Miss Smith gets a phone call about someone named Pierre, Henry jealously demands to know who it is. Miss Smith then admits that she had been married and that Pierre is her son. Furious, Henry storms out. As Miss Smith leaves the house, she is hit by a cab carrying Johnny. Julia brings the unconscious Miss Smith into Henry's house, where she leaves her in the care of Johnny and Trivers, Henry's manservant. Julia then finds Henry moping on a bench in front of the Ray Of Hope Rescue Mission. They enter and Julia addresses the crowd of derelicts and winos, telling them how Henry has changed and that now, without friends and never smiling, he works like a slave. She tries to get Henry to stand up in front of everyone, but he refuses. The patrons demand their post-sermon refreshments, and a riot breaks out, resulting in Henry's arrest. After Trivers bails Henry out, Henry learns that in the past, Miss Smith shot her husband for being unfaithful. Now realizing that his change in lifestyle was a mistake, Henry kisses Julia just as her husband, Johnny, walks in. Johnny and Henry then make a deal with Johnny getting the carburetor contract and Miss Smith, and Henry getting Julia.

Film Details

Also Known As
Forbidden Lips
Genre
Adaptation
Comedy
Romance
Release Date
May 25, 1934
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Fox Film Corp.; Jesse L. Lasky Productions
Distribution Company
Fox Film Corp.
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the play Springtime for Henry by Benn W. Levy (New York, 9 Dec 1931).

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 13m
Film Length
6,695ft (8 reels)

Quotes

Trivia

Notes

The plot summary was based on a screen continuity in the Twentieth Century-Fox Produced Scripts Collection, and the onscreen credits were taken from a screen credit sheet in the Twentieth Century-Fox Records of the Legal Department, both of which are at the UCLA Theater Arts Library. The working title of this film was Forbidden Lips.