Spoiled socialite Dorothy Mackaill (as Dorothea "Dot" Parker) is unimpressed when her wealthy father announces he has invited a young man from his Allentown, NJ steel mill to dinner. The man has saved some co-workers in an industrial accident and proudly turned down a $1,000 reward. When he turns out to be strikingly handsome ex-football player Joel McCrea (as Richard "Dick" Brunton), Ms. Mackaill is smitten beyond words. She hardly notices Mr. McCrea balances peas on his knife. Her father relates to McCrea's humble beginnings, but other friends and family consider him low class...
Mackaill bets father Robert McWade (as Arthur Parker) she will win a marriage proposal by Christmas. Her mother Florence Roberts (as Henrietta) doesn't think Mackaill should marry a working man. His mother Mary Carr blesses the union, while boarder Ned Sparks (as Hughie) comically disagrees. On a high-spending European trip, McCrea sees snobbish Clara Kimball Young treat her spouse like dirt and worries he will soon be wearing the "Kept Husbands" label. Meanwhile, ritzy playboy Bryant Washburn (as Charlie Bates) plans to seduce Mackaill. Typical early talkie, with a cast from different eras.
**** Kept Husbands (2/22/31) Lloyd Bacon ~ Dorothy Mackaill, Joel McCrea, Bryant Washburn, Mary Carr
Mackaill bets father Robert McWade (as Arthur Parker) she will win a marriage proposal by Christmas. Her mother Florence Roberts (as Henrietta) doesn't think Mackaill should marry a working man. His mother Mary Carr blesses the union, while boarder Ned Sparks (as Hughie) comically disagrees. On a high-spending European trip, McCrea sees snobbish Clara Kimball Young treat her spouse like dirt and worries he will soon be wearing the "Kept Husbands" label. Meanwhile, ritzy playboy Bryant Washburn (as Charlie Bates) plans to seduce Mackaill. Typical early talkie, with a cast from different eras.
**** Kept Husbands (2/22/31) Lloyd Bacon ~ Dorothy Mackaill, Joel McCrea, Bryant Washburn, Mary Carr