Growing up in a poor working-class family, Laura decides not to marry the boy-next-door and instead accepts wealthy, older Will Brockton's invitation to move in with him. After falling in lo... Read allGrowing up in a poor working-class family, Laura decides not to marry the boy-next-door and instead accepts wealthy, older Will Brockton's invitation to move in with him. After falling in love with young up-and-coming newsman Jack Madison she leaves Brockton to wait for Madison's... Read allGrowing up in a poor working-class family, Laura decides not to marry the boy-next-door and instead accepts wealthy, older Will Brockton's invitation to move in with him. After falling in love with young up-and-coming newsman Jack Madison she leaves Brockton to wait for Madison's return from a long assignment. She runs out of money and becomes desperate, returning aga... Read all
- Hotel Clerk
- (uncredited)
- Brockton Associate
- (uncredited)
- Women at Cook-Out
- (uncredited)
- Andy Murdock
- (uncredited)
- Chris Swoboda - Laura's Suitor
- (uncredited)
- Bud Williams
- (uncredited)
- Mrs. Clara Williams
- (uncredited)
- Mr. Gensler
- (uncredited)
- Tillie Murdock
- (uncredited)
- Alfred - Brockton's Butler
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAfter the first film of the scandalous play was made in 1917 (The Easiest Way (1917)), several studios were interested in a re-make, including First National, Universal, Pathé, and Columbia, but all were warned away by the Hays Office. Finally MGM under Irving Thalberg bought the rights in 1930 and made the picture, despite the Hays Office stating the film was "much more dangerous than the original play", which itself was called "dangerous motion picture material". They thought Laura was not punished enough for her immorality. However, enforcement of the Production Code did not occur until 1934.
- GoofsWhile on a trail ride in Colorado, Jack invites Laura to take in his pet view. The view is of Yosemite in California.
- Quotes
Chris Swoboda - Laura's Suitor: Hello there, kiddo!
Laura Murdock: Hello, Chris.
Chris Swoboda - Laura's Suitor: Wait a minute!
Laura Murdock: Oh, I haven't time.
Chris Swoboda - Laura's Suitor: Come on inside.
Laura Murdock: Oh, Chris, please! I'll be late for work!
Chris Swoboda - Laura's Suitor: Ah, come on! Give me a little kiss. What's the matter? Don't you love me anymore?
Laura Murdock: Oh, don't be silly!
Chris Swoboda - Laura's Suitor: Ah, come on, just one.
Laura Murdock: Oh, Chris, please, you'll mess my collar. I can't be mauled!
Chris Swoboda - Laura's Suitor: Oh, I'm crazy about you, Laura, I can't help it.
- Alternate versionsThe scene where Elfie enters Laura's father's house, (47 minutes), Elfie is played by Marjorie Rambeau and she is wearing a chinchilla trimmed coat. I have two film still photographs showing Marie Prevost as Elfie wearing a fox trimmed coat and a different hat. Laura is wearing exactly the same outfit and the set on which it was filmed is exactly the same.
- ConnectionsAlternate-language version of Quand on est belle (1932)
- SoundtracksThe Sidewalks of New York
(1894) (uncredited)
Music by Charles Lawlor
Played as background music in the opening scene
Laura (Constance Bennett) lives in a crowded apartment with her trashy family. They're poor and the father is a genial drunk. Because of this background, it's not at all surprising that when she is given a chance to become her boss' mistress, she jumps at the chance. After all, he's loaded and pampers her like she's never been pampered before! But folks who know her realize what sort of a woman she is, particularly her brother-in-law, Nick. He's wise to the trampy sort of life she leads.
A bit later, when Laura is on vacation out west, she meets a nice- guy reporter, Johnny (Robert Montgomery). He's handsome, sweet and you assume they'll soon marry---and he knows what sort of woman she was. However, this is only about half-way through the film, so you know IF there's going to be a happily ever after, it will have to come after a few plot twists!
This film is a great example of the so-called 'Pre-Code' and its sensibilities. Although most folks today think all the movies made back in the good 'ol days were very prudish, this was NOT the case before mid-1934. In the early 30s, studios made all sorts of very adult films with plots involving prostitutes, abortion, fornication and even, occasionally, nudity and cursing. While the films sometimes didn't always SAY that is what was going on, it was always heavily implied and the adults in the audience know the score. Here in "The Easiest Way", words like 'mistress', 'prostitute' or even that she's sleeping with the suave boss (Adolph Menjou)...but it's clearly happening! On top of that, he no-good dad doesn't mind...he LIKES the money she can send home! Welcome to the pre-code era, folks!
So the important question about all this is whether or not the film is any good. If you're watching it for Gable like I was, don't expect too much from him. His role is very limited and he clearly is just a contract actor in this film. As for the film itself, its quite good. The only negative, and I actually liked this, was that the ending is very vague--so if you're looking for a perfect, formulaic sort of picture, this ain't it!
- planktonrules
- Sep 17, 2015
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $310,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 13 minutes
- Color