By Violet LeVoit
Half Marriage
Brief Synopsis
A society girl marries a struggling architect in secret.
Cast & Crew
Read More
William J. Cowen
Director
Olive Borden
Judy Page
Morgan Farley
Dick Carroll
Ken Murray
Charles Turner
Ann Greenway
Ann Turner
Anderson Lawler
Tom Stribbling
Film Details
Genre
Comedy
Drama
Romance
Release Date
Oct
13,
1929
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
RKO Productions
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the short story "Half Marriage" by George Kibbe Turner (publication undetermined).
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 8m
Sound
Mono (RCA Photophone System)
Color
Black and White
Film Length
6,501ft
(7 reels)
Synopsis
Following a party at Judy Page's Greenwich Village apartment, she elopes with Dick Carroll, a young architect employed by her father. Later, Judy's mother arrives, insisting that she return to the Page country estate, while Dick hides in the apartment. He visits Judy while her parents are away and quarrels with Tom Stribbling, who monopolizes Judy's attentions at a country club dance. They make an appointment to meet at Judy's apartment, but Tom learns of their plan, sends a telegram to Dick canceling the meeting, and meets the girl himself. Tom attempts to force his attention on her; and, in a struggle outside her window, he falls to his death just as Dick enters the apartment. Dick assumes blame for Tom's death, but investigation reveals that Judy is justified; their secret marriage is revealed, and Judy's parents, after admonishment, give their blessing to the couple.
Director
William J. Cowen
Director
Cast
Olive Borden
Judy Page
Morgan Farley
Dick Carroll
Ken Murray
Charles Turner
Ann Greenway
Ann Turner
Anderson Lawler
Tom Stribbling
Sally Blane
Sally
Hedda Hopper
Mrs. Page
Richard Tucker
George Page
James Bradbury Jr.
Poverty
Jack Trent
Rudy
James Eagle
Matty
G. Pat Collins
Mulhall
Gus Arnheim And His Cocoanut Grove Ambassadors
Crew
Film Details
Genre
Comedy
Drama
Romance
Release Date
Oct
13,
1929
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
RKO Productions
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the short story "Half Marriage" by George Kibbe Turner (publication undetermined).
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 8m
Sound
Mono (RCA Photophone System)
Color
Black and White
Film Length
6,501ft
(7 reels)
Articles
Half-Marriage -
Olive Borden lived the high life when she was a $1,500 a week actress at Fox. But when sound threatened to change everything about the business of making motion pictures, her wary studio asked her to take a salary cut. Appalled, the outspoken actress walked away from Fox and into a freelance career. Here, sporting her newly bobbed hair, she plays party girl art student Judy Page, who, after a wild soiree in her Greenwich Village apartment, impulsively marries her father's employee Dick Carroll (Morgan Farley). But they've got to battle disapproval not only from her mother (Hedda Hopper, in a pre-gossip column role) but also from romantic rival Tom Stribbing (Anderson Lawler). A lively talky about fast "modern youth", the direction by William J. Cowen lacks the static, stiff quality of many early talkies. (It doesn't hurt that the story is livened up in parts with footage of great boxers of the era in the ring.) Naturally brunette Borden became a blond for her next picture Dance Hall (1929), to much more attention and critical acclaim.
By Violet LeVoit
By Violet LeVoit
Half-Marriage -
Olive Borden lived the high life when she was a $1,500 a week actress at Fox. But when sound threatened to change everything about the business of making motion pictures, her wary studio asked her to take a salary cut. Appalled, the outspoken actress walked away from Fox and into a freelance career. Here, sporting her newly bobbed hair, she plays party girl art student Judy Page, who, after a wild soiree in her Greenwich Village apartment, impulsively marries her father's employee Dick Carroll (Morgan Farley). But they've got to battle disapproval not only from her mother (Hedda Hopper, in a pre-gossip column role) but also from romantic rival Tom Stribbing (Anderson Lawler). A lively talky about fast "modern youth", the direction by William J. Cowen lacks the static, stiff quality of many early talkies. (It doesn't hurt that the story is livened up in parts with footage of great boxers of the era in the ring.) Naturally brunette Borden became a blond for her next picture Dance Hall (1929), to much more attention and critical acclaim.
By Violet LeVoit
