Slander House

Adrienne Ames runs a fitness center dedicated to getting the overstuffed wives of the upper crust into some shape. She's in the process of getting engaged to Dr. George Meeker, who's quite goofy about her in a staid way, when Craig Reynolds walks in and makes a serious play for her.

Miss Ames is lovely, wears her clothes well, and moves right. However, her line readings are a bit mechanical, and Reynolds' breezy personality, coming out of nowhere does not mix well in this comedy-drama. Director Charles Lamont has filled the ranks of the ladies, clients and staff, with some excellent farceurs, including Pert Kelton (in a rare non-annoying role), Viviane Oakland, Dot Farley, and the ever-dependable Mary Fields.

There is also some good slapstick, some of its involving the weight-reduction machinery, and a monkey that gets loose in the place. Esther Ralston plays Reynolds' ex-girlfriend who won't let her go (I'll take her!), but the occasionally clunky dialogue, the too-brief running time, and the lack of ability of the two leads limit the pleasure of this Poverty Row effort.

"Slander House" (1938) is actually a nice discovery, especially because it is a sort-of precursor to next year's (1939) "The Women". No where near as stinging with acid remarks as "The Women", nevertheless the breezy nonchalance, the drama, and the off-the-cuff humor that pervades "Slander House" is actually very well done. What it lacks is tighter direction and an even better script. The next year's film is a masterpiece. This is simply a cheap Progressive Pictures quickie with lots of old-time (though still young!) performers getting a check so they can eat. But...they did a very good job. The only problem as most see it: Craig Reynolds. Here was a performer who breezed through so many pictures in the early 30s, from features to serials, and may even have had a next decade stardom ahead of him, but WW II interrupted his career for four years, and when he returned his career plummeted. In 1949, after he'd been married to Barbara Pepper and had two children, he went out on a motorcycle and was killed in an accident at the age of 42. Anyway, his performance in "Slander House" is so breezy it seems to contrast with all the other performers, as if he's there to practice in place of the real performer. It's not bad, but it just doesn't seem to fit. Whether it's the writing or the performer, or both, it takes the film down a notch. The star, though: Adrienne Ames. What a beauty! And she's quite marvelous. Her rival in the female department: Esther Ralston. This former silent star has lost some of her appeal in looks, but she's very on-target as "the other" girl rival for Reynolds' affections. Then there's George Meeker. He's a doctor who's seemingly engaged to, or at least entangled with, Ames.

The setting: yes, it's the same as "The Women": a salon, only this is a reducing and exercise salon, anything to get into shape and lose the monkey pounds that are gained through negligence or alcohol or age or, or, or... The other characters are cats - women cats! Dorothy Vaughan, Vivien Oakland, Ruth Gillette, Mary Field. Ames' side-kick and partner is played by Pert Kelton. She dominates every scene she's in. She's wonderful. And there are Edward Keane and William Newell. They're the other men who interfere, who try to lech their ways into Ames' life or cause trouble of some sort. Rich and infidel, these men have influence and money to do as they wish - they think. But not with Ames.

This is well worth the watch. Cheap, but really good. It's certainly NOT "The Women", but it's 65 minutes I'd spend again. For the record, throughout the movie people keep calling the salon "Scandal House". Don't know if that was supposed to be the original title or not, but because there's a reporter involved throughout who does columns on the girls, it probably is worthy of the title "Slander House", not because of him, but because of what the women say about each other!