Review of Design for Living (1933) by Stella D — 20 Oct 2010
The risque lubitsch comedy was originally a controversial noel coward play about a bohemian menage a trois. fearing that film audiences weren't as sophisticated as those of the theater, the studio hired ben hecht to gut the script and very few of coward's witty lines survived.
while this is a crying shame, lubitsch still manages to work a little magic with alot of help from the ever charming miriam hopkins, a free-spirit who can't choose between two friends in love with her.
soon they all agree to a rather unconventional living arrangement. the male leads are an impossibly handsome gary cooper, showing some comedy skills that got little use later in his career, and frederic march, who's even funnier imo.
definitely worth a watch for the stars and unusual subject matter. it's clever but one can't help wondering what might have been.
This review of Design for Living (1933) was written by Stella D on 20 Oct 2010.
Design for Living has generally received very positive reviews.
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