His Double Life *** (1933, Roland Young, Lillian Gish, Montagu Love, Lumsden Hare) – Classic Movie Review 12,111

‘HE’S NOT HIMSELF!… Even his bride thinks he’s two other fellows…!’

Director Arthur Hopkins’s 1933 comedy-drama film His Double Life stars Roland Young and Lillian Gish, along with Montagu Love and Lumsden Hare.

Arnold Bennett’s novel Buried Alive about a reclusive painter, Priam Farrel (Young), who, after a mix-up, trades places with his suddenly deceased butler, becomes an appealing little film with the help of adorable performances by Young and Gish as Alice Hunter, a nice spinster he takes up with.

Though the script is occasionally shaky and the handling not particularly adept, the movie is still richly enjoyable. It is memorable as a good showcase for what Young can do.

Another version, 1943’s Holy Matrimony, is even better.

Broadway theatrical impresario Arthur Hopkins is an inexperienced first-time film director here, but there is also directorial input as associate director from the experienced William C deMille, the older brother of Cecil B deMille.

It was filmed in the silent era in 1921 with Lionel Barrymore as The Great Adventure, the title of Arnold Bennett’s play version of his novel Buried Alive.

It is preserved at the Library of Congress, Washington DC.

It is available on DVD.

It is in public domain in the US.

The cast are Roland Young as Priam Farrel, Lillian Gish as Alice Hunter, Montagu Love as Duncan Farrel, Lumsden Hare as Oxford, Lucy Beaumont as Mrs Leek, Charles Richman as Witt, Oliver Smith as Leek twin John, Philip Tonge as Leek twin Henry, Audrey Ridgewell as Lady Helen, Regina DeValet as Mary, Charles Halton as Newsman on Phone, Roland Hogue as Henry Leek.

His Double Life is directed by Arthur Hopkins, runs 68 minutes, is made by Eddie Dowling Pictures, is released by Paramount Pictures, is written by Clara Beranger (adaptation) and Arthur Hopkins (adaptation), based on Arnold Bennett’s novel Buried Alive and play The Great Adventure, is shot in black and white by Arthur Edeson, is produced by Eddie Dowling and Arthur Hopkins, is scored by John Rochetti, James F Hanley and Karl Stark, and designed by Walter E Keller.

The songs ‘Someday, Sometime, Somewhere’ and ‘Springtime in Old Granada’ are written by James F Hanley and Karl Stark.

It was shot at Paramount Studios, Astoria, Queens, New York City.

Roland Young is best remembered for Topper.

© Derek Winnert 2022 Classic Movie Review 12,111

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com