
The Man in Possession
Director: Sam Wood Run Time: 84 min. Format: 35mm Release Year: 1931
Starring: Robert Montgomery, Charlotte Greenwood, Irene Purcell, C. Aubrey Smith
Fresh out of the joint, reformed car thief Raymond Dabney (Robert Montgomery) comes home to find his do-good brother engaged to a wealthy debutante. Wary of family scandal, and worried about torpedoing the looming nuptials, Pa Dabney offers his prodigal son a chunk of cash to leave the country. But Raymond is ready to turn over a new leaf, and takes a steady gig as a sheriff’s officer tasked with reclaiming the property of his indebted bettors. When his latest case installs him in the mansion of broke socialite Crystal Wetherby (Irene Purcell), Raymond gamely offers to pose as Crystal’s butler to maintain appearances during a visit with her fiance and his family – who turn out to be none other than, you guessed it, the Dabneys!
Your hosts’ favorite heartthrob, Robert Montgomery, is at his most charming in this delightful comedy that is made all the more interesting with its lascivious flourishes.