Friends and Lovers

...in this pre-code drama from RKO and director Victor Schertzinger. Adolphe Menjou stars as Army Captain Geoffrey Roberts. He's been having an affair while on leave with married socialite Alva Sangrito (Lili Damita). Her aristocratic husband Victor (Erich von Stroheim) blackmails Capt. Roberts for money in exchange for keeping the scandal quiet. When Roberts returns to active duty at a dangerous outpost, he is happy to see his friend Lt. Ned Nichols (Laurence Olivier), only to later learn that Ned is in love with someone: Alva! The two nearly come to blows over her, but circumstances may make her the least of their worries

This aims for an adult sophistication but often comes across more sensationalist and juvenile. Damita's character is barely more than a prostitute, and she gets a nude shower scene and some lingering dressing scenes. Olivier hasn't found his voice yet (this was made during his initial attempt to become a screen star, and before he became a stage triumph back in England), and von Stroheim alternates from reveling in his sadism to barely trying to get through his lines. Menjou is a smooth charmer, as usual. Fans of the performers should take a look, as well as those who enjoy seeing the pre-code boundaries pushed.

This is the sort of film that got RKO Radio studios into financial trouble. It has a great cast: Damita, von Stroheim, Menjou, Olivier. The plot is predictable, and the story threadbare. I doubt if there were many more people in the 1930s who were turned on by this kind of melodrama as there are now.

A porcelain collector uses his younger wife to ensnare rich army officers, so that he can blackmail them. Two officers, serving in the British army in India, find out that they are both in love with this same woman. That is the plot in a nutshell. The saving feature of this film it to witness some pretty good acting performances. Apart from Hugh Herbert, whose Scottish accent slips like a postman in the snow and sounds about as authentic as the MacFarterchops tartan, the rest of the cast turn in some pretty good performances. Von Stroheim's performance is weird; but then again he is playing a weirdo. Menjou turns in a competent performance - as he always does. Olivier is subtle: you have to watch him carefully to fully appreciate what he does. The same can be said for Damita. Yes, it's great to have a sophisticated leading lady who doesn't mind getting her kit off; but watch her performance next to Olivier in the dining table scene. Further down the cast, the pair who play the general and his sister turn in good performances, too.

The performances of the cast rescue this film, which is of its time. It is watchable.

The FRIENDS AND LOVERS of a duplicitous female nearly have their lives destroyed by her wicked ways.

This well-acted piece of fluff makes no attempt at serious entertainment but manages to engage the viewer nonetheless, mainly because of its unique cast.

Lily Damita plays the sultry vamp who has no difficulty in enticing every man she meets. She is the female star of the picture, but her character is completely detestable. It says nothing positive about the moral discernment or intelligence level of the lead male players in the film that they are so completely seduced, for a time.

Adolphe Menjou and Laurence Olivier play the two British officers, firm friends, who both fall into Damita's web. Making no pretense at behaving British, Menjou plays the debonair captain who must decide between carnality & comradeship. Olivier, who looks astonishingly young (he turned 24 in 1931) is bright & energetic, projecting shadows of the future Lord Olivier as he advises Menjou as to the proper cut of tailored lapels.

Whimsical Hugh Herbert puts his gentle humor to good use as Menjou's Scots valet. Acting as a sort of Greek Chorus to the proceedings around him, he easily steals most of his scenes. Erich von Stroheim, that Teutonic master of menace, dominates the screen with a cunning portrayal of Damita's vile husband. Like an uncoiled snake ready to strike, von Stroheim slithers about the screen, alert to deliver the maximum discomfort to his victims. As always, he is a joy to watch. Alas, that his role is so brief.

Frederick Kerr as a boisterous old general, and Blanche Frederici as his straitlaced titled sister provide a few moments of sparkle at the end of the film.

The action during the scenes set in India takes place entirely within the walls of a rather dull fort. The Studio, Radio Pictures, apparently were unwilling to spend an extra dime on ambiance.

Lili Damita plays an exotic temptress married to vicious Von Stroheim, who uses her to lure rich men, in order to blackmail them later...He's sort of a higher class pimp, 'cos the guy sort of sells her wife's favors.

Adolphe Menjou and Larry Olivier are two of these men, who happen to be friends. Man-of-the-world Menjou does very well with his role of Captain Richards and a very young and dashing Laurence Olivier, is good as well as the more "naive" guy.

Von Stroheim's short moments on the screen are excellent, because he can portray at very close perfection, that sort of middle european aristocratic decadence. Kudos too, for Hugh Herbert's sympathetic performance as Menjou's valet.

Miss Damita (later to be Mrs. Errol Flynn) has poise but lacks acting talent, but is anyway alluring as the tempting lady.

If you like pre-codes, watch it.

Despite my low rating I must admit to really enjoying this creaky melodrama. The vote is because it's all very formulaic, stilted and stiff. Concepts of love and honor reflect Victorian morality which in itself was utterly unrealistic or even very real. I suspect that even today some people might be shocked to find a woman in a man's bedroom after hours and icily ask her to leave the house even though they were fully clothed but such mastodons were and luckily still are few and far between. But I digress. In the film it was necessary to spur our protagonists into yet another display of manly brotherhood and selflessness and to bring this sad example of bad movie-making to its not altogether unpredictable conclusion.

So what's to like? How can one not enjoy Adolphe Menjou, the epitome of the suave knave, paired off with Laurence Olivier in his fourth film, both doing their best with the weak material to steal their common scenes. It was delicious! Both were magnificent, both were divine and it was so much fun to watch. Especially memorable are the scenes where Olivier describes the cut of coat collar with a swoop of his hand that is pure Sir Laurence. And lets not forget Lili Damita who made up for her utter lack of talent by sensuously gliding through her scenes in her tight fighting, low-cut dresses, seemingly barely able to keep herself from devouring her next male victim.

Oh what a fun way to spend 68 minutes!