Virginia's Husband is a 1934 British comedy film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring Dorothy Boyd, Reginald Gardiner and Enid Stamp-Taylor. It was written by H. Fowler Mear, based on the 1926 play of the same title by Florence Kilpatrick, and was made as a quota quickie. Kilpatrick's play had previously been adapted as a silent film in 1928.
Contents
Preservation status
The British Film Institute National Archive holds no stills or ephemera, and no film or video materials.
Plot
Virginia Trevor is the unmarried man-hating leader of the "Women's League of Liberty." Because her wealthy aunt, on whom she relies for an allowance, does not approve of women who do not marry, Virginia lies to her aunt that she is married. When the aunt unexpectedly decides to lodge with her, to keep up with the pretence Virginia places an advertisement for a "temporary husband", and young man-about-town John Craddock gets the job. Complications ensue, and Virginia and John end up married.
Cast
Dorothy Boyd as Virginia Trevor
Reginald Gardiner as John Craddock
Enid Stamp-Taylor as June Haslett
Ena Grossmith as Elizabeth
Annie Esmond as Mrs. Elkins
Sebastian Smith as Mr. Ritchie
Wally Patch as Police Sergeant
Tom Helmore as Barney Hammond
Andreas Malandrinos as headwaiter
Hal Walters as mechanic
Critical reception
Kine Weekly wrote: "Clean, unpretentious farcical comedy, the story of which hinges on a familiar but nevertheless piquant deception. The lively situations are approached in the right spirit by an attractive cast, while the love interest is given suitable recognition. Adequate action prevents the preponderance of dialogue, amusing at times, from becoming irksome. Altogether a homely, entertaining proposition, particularly suitable for family audiences."
The Daily Film Renter wrote: "Although the theme and its presentation are on naive lines, it cannot be denied that some of the situations are genuinely amusing. ... Direction is quite good."
Picturegoer wrote: "Unpretentious farce which is quite well put together and, while rather over-burdened with dialogue, is not lacking in capably handled situations. ... The picture's humour and artifice are quite simple, but nevertheless provide their fair share of amusement."
In their review, TV Guide concluded the film had "Some amusing moments but not enough to sustain the comedy throughout."