Consolation Marriage [Married in Haste] *** (1931, Irene Dunne, Pat O’Brien, John Halliday, Matt Moore, Myrna Loy) – Classic Movie Review 12,258

Director Paul Sloane’s 1931 romantic drama Consolation Marriage [Married in Haste] stars Irene Dunne, Pat O’Brien, John Halliday, Matt Moore, and Myrna Loy.

Abandoned Manhattan lonelyhearts Mary Brown (Irene Dunne) and Steve Porter (Pat O’Brien) agree on a rebound open marriage of convenience to console themselves. But, when they each try again with their previous lovers (Lester Vail, Myrna Loy), they suddenly realise – as we did all along – their love for each other.

Consolation Marriage is a sentimental, old-style romantic fantasy, but it is most pleasingly handled, with a lot of easygoing charisma in the screenplay and total charm in the expert playing of Dunne and O’Brien. Max Steiner’s theme music is called ‘Devotion’.

Also in the cast are Lester Vail, Edgar Dearing, Robert Holmans, Elmer Ballard, Wilson Benge, Nell Craig, Gladden James, Pauline Stevens, and Libby Taylor.

Written by Humphrey Pearson, based on a story by Bill Cunningham, the film was released on 21 November 1931 by RKO Pictures.

The cast are Irene Dunne as Mary Brown Porter, Pat O’Brien as Steve Porter, John Halliday as Jeff Hunter, Myrna Loy as Elaine Brandon, Matt Moore as the Colonel, Lester Vail as Aubrey, Elmer Ballard, Wilson Benge as Elaine’s Butler, Edgar Dearing as Policeman Mulligan, Wild Bill Elliott as Dog Show Attendee, Tom Herbert as Dog Owner, Robert Homans as Justice of the Peace, Gertrude Howard as Mary’s Maid Kate, Gladden James as Newspaper Worker Charlie, Frank McLure as Celebrant in Ship’s Cabin, Dave O’Brien as Man Picking Up Newspapers, Ronald R. Rondell as Dog Show Attendee, and Pauline Stevens as Baby Porter.

© Derek Winnert 2022 Classic Movie Review 12,258

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