Sexy chauffeur John Gilbert (as Karl Schneider) arrives to work at an Austrian estate, during a wedding party for house butler Paul Lukas (as Albert) and pretty maid Virginia Bruce (as Anna). When it's time to kiss the bride, Mr. Gilbert plants a full one on Mr. Bruce's comely lips. Gilbert also reveals he's a lover of lady employers, as wedding guest and past employer Hedda Hopper lets new boss Olga Baclanova (as Eloise von Burgen) know Gilbert is a satisfyingly discreet sex partner. An equal opportunity stud, Gilbert also services cook Bodil Rosing (as Sophie)...
Gilbert really wants to bed Mr. Lukas' beautiful bride. Watch and see if he succeeds
In real life, Gilbert did, and married co-star Virginia Bruce. They look like an attractive couple. Gilbert appeared to be on an upswing, with an assured performance as the film's promiscuous, blackmailing playboy. But, neither the film career nor the marriage proved to be long-lasting. Gilbert, who came up with the original story idea, must have found the enforcement of the "Hays Production Code" unfortunate; it would soon see that films like his "Downstairs" were censored.
******** Downstairs (8/6/32) Monta Bell ~ John Gilbert, Paul Lukas, Virginia Bruce, Olga Baclanova
