The Easiest Way
Encyclopedia
The Easiest Way is a 1931
American
MGM drama film
directed by Jack Conway
. Adapted from the 1909 play of the same name by David Belasco
, the film stars Constance Bennett
, Adolphe Menjou
, Robert Montgomery
, Clark Gable
, and Anita Page
.
) works hard to support her abusive father Ben (J. Farrell MacDonald
). He supports his other daughter Peg (Anita Page
) to marry a hard working man named Nick (Clark Gable
), to profit from his income. Laura disagrees, and feels that one should marry another out of love. Nevertheless, she rejects a marriage proposal from the boy-next-door to become romantically involved with William Brockton (Adolphe Menjou
) a wealthy man many years her senior whom she met at a modeling job. She allows herself to be showered by expensive gifts and moves into his luxury apartment.
Her newly found wealth does not come without any backlashes, though. Her mother Agnes (Clara Blandick
), now an ill woman, refuses to see her daughter because she feels that Laura has changed for the worse. A visit to Peg, who is now married to Nick, is ended abruptly by Nick's demand that she leaves his house immediately. Even though she realizes that she has estranged from her family, she continues to stay with Brockton.
Sometime later, while vacationing in Colorado, she meets and falls in love with young newsman Jack Madison (Robert Montgomery
). After a short affair, Jack is stationed in Mexico for a period of time. Laura promises him that she will leave Brockton in the meanwhile, but when she cuts the news to him, Brockton demands all of his gifts back and throws her out of his apartment. Laura, now destitute, takes a job at Macy's department store and unsuccessfully asks one of her former colleagues Elfie St. Clair (Marjorie Rambeau
) for a loan.
Another night, Ben, even though still disgusted by her lifestyle, brings Laura a visit to inform her that Agnes is terminally ill and in urgent need of an expensive stomach analyst. Laura is upset that she cannot provide her mother the financial support that she needs, and after Agnes dies, she throws out her dignity and returns to Brockton. He is only willing to take her back on condition that she informs Jack that she has reconciled with Brockton and will not see him any longer. She promises him that she will, until a phone call from Jack announcing his near return to New York throws her off.
Desperate, Laura turns to Elfie for help, who advises her to leave Brockton and marry Jack. Her plans to elope with Jack are cut short when Brockton unexpectedly shows up. Brockton, noticing Laura's packed bags, informs Jack about what happened during his absence. Laura tries to explain the situation, but Jack is too angered and leaves. Heartbroken, she leaves Brockton and travels to her family home, where she watches her relatives having Christmas dinner from outside. Nick notices Laura, and invites her in, comforting her with the promise that Jack will take her back someday.
produced Broadway hit play that starred Frances Starr. In 1917 Select/Selznick Pictures produced the first film version, a silent, which starred Clara Kimball Young
and Rockliffe Fellowes. First National
planned a film adaptation in 1927. Henry King
was assigned as the director, whereas Belle Bennett
and Conrad Veidt
were set to star. David Fink, who produced the project, received many objections to the adaptation due to the play's immoral nature. Even though he dismissed this by reminding officials that "a film like Sadie Thompson
" could be released, he later abandoned the project, discussably because of censorship problems with the Hays Office.
After Joseph M. Schenck & David O. Selznick
and Universal Pictures
briefly considered to work on an adaptation, one of the DeMilles picked up the project in March 1928, until a conversation with Will H. Hays
motivated him to drop it. In 1929, a producer named Sam E. Rork working for Fox
considered making the film, but he was warned not to "undertake a thing which other responsible companies have already decided would not be good for the industry." Rork was among other producers in this period discouraged to make the film.
Pathé
purchased the story in 1930, but it was resold by Pathe following another warning by Hays Office. Columbia Pictures
was offered by Hays Office to adapt the film on condition that they retitled it and that they bring the story into conformity with the Production Code shortly before MGM bought the rights, but they rejected it. In November 1930, Irving Thalberg
was set to produce, and he was contacted by the Hays Office, who complained that "the trouble with the adaptation is that it builds up audience sympathy for Laura Murdock and supplies her with the means of securing sympathetic excuses for, if not actual approval of, her weakness of character." Additionally, the Office labeled it "much more dangerous than the original play, which for a long time has itself been considered dangerous motion picture material" and commented that the story did not go "far enough in building up the idea that Laura is being punished."
. Several alternate endings were created for this film. Following its release, Columbia sent a complaint letter in which it accused Hays Office with "unfairly preventing the studio from making the film, while allowing M-G-M to produce it." Meanwhile, censorship boards in Ireland, Nova Scotia and Alberta objected to the film and prevented its release.
1931 in film
-Top grossing films:-Academy Awards:*Best Picture: Cimarron - MGM*Best Actor: Lionel Barrymore - A Free Soul*Best Actor: Wallace Beery - The Champ*Best Actor: Fredric March - Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde...
American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
MGM drama film
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
directed by Jack Conway
Jack Conway (film-maker)
Jack Ryan Conway was a film director and film producer, as well as an actor of many films in the first half of the 20th century....
. Adapted from the 1909 play of the same name by David Belasco
David Belasco
David Belasco was an American theatrical producer, impresario, director and playwright.-Biography:Born in San Francisco, California, where his Sephardic Jewish parents had moved from London, England, during the Gold Rush, he began working in a San Francisco theatre doing a variety of routine jobs,...
, the film stars Constance Bennett
Constance Bennett
-Early life:She was born in New York City, the daughter of actor Richard Bennett and actress Adrienne Morrison, whose father was the stage actor Lewis Morrison , a wealthy performer of English and Spanish ancestry...
, Adolphe Menjou
Adolphe Menjou
Adolphe Jean Menjou was an American actor. His career spanned both silent films and talkies, appearing in such films as The Sheik, A Woman of Paris, Morocco, and A Star is Born...
, Robert Montgomery
Robert Montgomery (actor)
Robert Montgomery was an American actor and director.- Early life :Montgomery was born Henry Montgomery, Jr. in Beacon, New York, then known as "Fishkill Landing", the son of Mary Weed and Henry Montgomery, Sr. His early childhood was one of privilege, since his father was president of the New...
, Clark Gable
Clark Gable
William Clark Gable , known as Clark Gable, was an American film actor most famous for his role as Rhett Butler in the 1939 Civil War epic film Gone with the Wind, in which he starred with Vivien Leigh...
, and Anita Page
Anita Page
Anita Evelyn Pomares , better known as Anita Page, was a Salvadoran-American film actress who reached stardom in the last years of the silent film era. She became a highly popular young star, reportedly at one point receiving the most fan mail of anyone on the MGM lot...
.
Plot
Growing up in a poor working-class family, Laura (Constance BennettConstance Bennett
-Early life:She was born in New York City, the daughter of actor Richard Bennett and actress Adrienne Morrison, whose father was the stage actor Lewis Morrison , a wealthy performer of English and Spanish ancestry...
) works hard to support her abusive father Ben (J. Farrell MacDonald
J. Farrell MacDonald
Joseph Farrell MacDonald was an American character actor and director. He played supporting roles and occasional leads. MacDonald, who was sometimes billed as "John Farrell Macdonald", "J.F...
). He supports his other daughter Peg (Anita Page
Anita Page
Anita Evelyn Pomares , better known as Anita Page, was a Salvadoran-American film actress who reached stardom in the last years of the silent film era. She became a highly popular young star, reportedly at one point receiving the most fan mail of anyone on the MGM lot...
) to marry a hard working man named Nick (Clark Gable
Clark Gable
William Clark Gable , known as Clark Gable, was an American film actor most famous for his role as Rhett Butler in the 1939 Civil War epic film Gone with the Wind, in which he starred with Vivien Leigh...
), to profit from his income. Laura disagrees, and feels that one should marry another out of love. Nevertheless, she rejects a marriage proposal from the boy-next-door to become romantically involved with William Brockton (Adolphe Menjou
Adolphe Menjou
Adolphe Jean Menjou was an American actor. His career spanned both silent films and talkies, appearing in such films as The Sheik, A Woman of Paris, Morocco, and A Star is Born...
) a wealthy man many years her senior whom she met at a modeling job. She allows herself to be showered by expensive gifts and moves into his luxury apartment.
Her newly found wealth does not come without any backlashes, though. Her mother Agnes (Clara Blandick
Clara Blandick
Clara Blandick was an American actress. Her many film appearances include the role of Auntie Em in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz.-Early life:She was born Clara Dickey, the daughter of Isaac B...
), now an ill woman, refuses to see her daughter because she feels that Laura has changed for the worse. A visit to Peg, who is now married to Nick, is ended abruptly by Nick's demand that she leaves his house immediately. Even though she realizes that she has estranged from her family, she continues to stay with Brockton.
Sometime later, while vacationing in Colorado, she meets and falls in love with young newsman Jack Madison (Robert Montgomery
Robert Montgomery (actor)
Robert Montgomery was an American actor and director.- Early life :Montgomery was born Henry Montgomery, Jr. in Beacon, New York, then known as "Fishkill Landing", the son of Mary Weed and Henry Montgomery, Sr. His early childhood was one of privilege, since his father was president of the New...
). After a short affair, Jack is stationed in Mexico for a period of time. Laura promises him that she will leave Brockton in the meanwhile, but when she cuts the news to him, Brockton demands all of his gifts back and throws her out of his apartment. Laura, now destitute, takes a job at Macy's department store and unsuccessfully asks one of her former colleagues Elfie St. Clair (Marjorie Rambeau
Marjorie Rambeau
Marjorie Rambeau was an American film and stage actress.-Early life:Rambeau was born in San Francisco, California to Marcel Rambeau and Lilian Garlinda Kindelberger. Her parents split up when she was a girl. She and her mother went to Nome, Alaska where young Marjorie dressed as a boy, sang and...
) for a loan.
Another night, Ben, even though still disgusted by her lifestyle, brings Laura a visit to inform her that Agnes is terminally ill and in urgent need of an expensive stomach analyst. Laura is upset that she cannot provide her mother the financial support that she needs, and after Agnes dies, she throws out her dignity and returns to Brockton. He is only willing to take her back on condition that she informs Jack that she has reconciled with Brockton and will not see him any longer. She promises him that she will, until a phone call from Jack announcing his near return to New York throws her off.
Desperate, Laura turns to Elfie for help, who advises her to leave Brockton and marry Jack. Her plans to elope with Jack are cut short when Brockton unexpectedly shows up. Brockton, noticing Laura's packed bags, informs Jack about what happened during his absence. Laura tries to explain the situation, but Jack is too angered and leaves. Heartbroken, she leaves Brockton and travels to her family home, where she watches her relatives having Christmas dinner from outside. Nick notices Laura, and invites her in, comforting her with the promise that Jack will take her back someday.
Cast
- Constance BennettConstance Bennett-Early life:She was born in New York City, the daughter of actor Richard Bennett and actress Adrienne Morrison, whose father was the stage actor Lewis Morrison , a wealthy performer of English and Spanish ancestry...
as Laura Murdock - Adolphe MenjouAdolphe MenjouAdolphe Jean Menjou was an American actor. His career spanned both silent films and talkies, appearing in such films as The Sheik, A Woman of Paris, Morocco, and A Star is Born...
as William Brockton - Robert MontgomeryRobert Montgomery (actor)Robert Montgomery was an American actor and director.- Early life :Montgomery was born Henry Montgomery, Jr. in Beacon, New York, then known as "Fishkill Landing", the son of Mary Weed and Henry Montgomery, Sr. His early childhood was one of privilege, since his father was president of the New...
as Jack Madison - Anita PageAnita PageAnita Evelyn Pomares , better known as Anita Page, was a Salvadoran-American film actress who reached stardom in the last years of the silent film era. She became a highly popular young star, reportedly at one point receiving the most fan mail of anyone on the MGM lot...
as Peg Murdock Feliki - Marjorie RambeauMarjorie RambeauMarjorie Rambeau was an American film and stage actress.-Early life:Rambeau was born in San Francisco, California to Marcel Rambeau and Lilian Garlinda Kindelberger. Her parents split up when she was a girl. She and her mother went to Nome, Alaska where young Marjorie dressed as a boy, sang and...
as Elfie St. Clair - J. Farrell MacDonaldJ. Farrell MacDonaldJoseph Farrell MacDonald was an American character actor and director. He played supporting roles and occasional leads. MacDonald, who was sometimes billed as "John Farrell Macdonald", "J.F...
as Ben Murdock - Clara BlandickClara BlandickClara Blandick was an American actress. Her many film appearances include the role of Auntie Em in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz.-Early life:She was born Clara Dickey, the daughter of Isaac B...
as Agnes Murdock - Clark GableClark GableWilliam Clark Gable , known as Clark Gable, was an American film actor most famous for his role as Rhett Butler in the 1939 Civil War epic film Gone with the Wind, in which he starred with Vivien Leigh...
as Nick Feliki
Uncredited
- Lynton Brent ... Brockton Associate (uncredited)
- Jack Hanlon ... Andy Murdock (uncredited)
- John HarronJohn HarronJohn Harron was an American actor. He appeared in 167 films between 1918 and 1940.Born in New York, New York, he was the brother of actor Robert Harron and of actress Mary Harron...
... Chris Swoboda, Laura's Suitor (uncredited) - Dell Henderson ... Bud Williams (uncredited)
- Hedda Hopper ... Mrs. Clara Williams (uncredited)
- Charles Judels ... Mr. Gensler (uncredited)
- Elizabeth Ann Keever ... Tillie Murdock (uncredited)
- William H. O'Brien ... Alfred, Brockton's Butler (uncredited)
- Andy Shuford ... Bobby Murdock (uncredited)
- Francis Palmer Tilton ... Artist (uncredited)
Production
The film is based on a 1909 David BelascoDavid Belasco
David Belasco was an American theatrical producer, impresario, director and playwright.-Biography:Born in San Francisco, California, where his Sephardic Jewish parents had moved from London, England, during the Gold Rush, he began working in a San Francisco theatre doing a variety of routine jobs,...
produced Broadway hit play that starred Frances Starr. In 1917 Select/Selznick Pictures produced the first film version, a silent, which starred Clara Kimball Young
Clara Kimball Young
Clara Kimball Young was an American film actress, who was highly regarded and publicly popular in the early silent film era.-Early life:...
and Rockliffe Fellowes. First National
First National
First National was an association of independent theater owners in the United States that expanded from exhibiting movies to distributing them, and eventually to producing them as a movie studio, called First National Pictures, Inc. It later merged with Warner Bros.-Early history:The First National...
planned a film adaptation in 1927. Henry King
Henry King (director)
Henry King was an American film director.Before coming to film, King worked as an actor in various repertoire theatres, and first started to take small film roles in 1912. He directed for the first time in 1915, and grew to become one of the most commercially successful Hollywood directors of the...
was assigned as the director, whereas Belle Bennett
Belle Bennett
Belle Bennett was a stage and screen actress who started her professional career in vaudeville. She was born in Milaca, Minnesota.-Stage actress:...
and Conrad Veidt
Conrad Veidt
Conrad Veidt was a German actor best remembered for his roles in films such as The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari , The Man Who Laughs , The Thief of Bagdad and Casablanca...
were set to star. David Fink, who produced the project, received many objections to the adaptation due to the play's immoral nature. Even though he dismissed this by reminding officials that "a film like Sadie Thompson
Sadie Thompson
Sadie Thompson is an American silent film that tells the story of a "fallen woman" who comes to Pago Pago on the island of Tutuila to start a new life, but encounters a zealous missionary who wants to force her back to her former life in San Francisco. The film stars Gloria Swanson, Lionel...
" could be released, he later abandoned the project, discussably because of censorship problems with the Hays Office.
After Joseph M. Schenck & David O. Selznick
David O. Selznick
David O. Selznick was an American film producer. He is best known for having produced Gone with the Wind and Rebecca , both of which earned him an Oscar for Best Picture.-Early years:...
and Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
briefly considered to work on an adaptation, one of the DeMilles picked up the project in March 1928, until a conversation with Will H. Hays
Will H. Hays
William Harrison Hays, Sr. , was the namesake of the Hays Code for censorship of American films, chairman of the Republican National Committee and U.S. Postmaster General from 1921 to 1922....
motivated him to drop it. In 1929, a producer named Sam E. Rork working for Fox
20th Century Fox
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
considered making the film, but he was warned not to "undertake a thing which other responsible companies have already decided would not be good for the industry." Rork was among other producers in this period discouraged to make the film.
Pathé
Pathé
Pathé or Pathé Frères is the name of various French businesses founded and originally run by the Pathé Brothers of France.-History:...
purchased the story in 1930, but it was resold by Pathe following another warning by Hays Office. Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
was offered by Hays Office to adapt the film on condition that they retitled it and that they bring the story into conformity with the Production Code shortly before MGM bought the rights, but they rejected it. In November 1930, Irving Thalberg
Irving Thalberg
Irving Grant Thalberg was an American film producer during the early years of motion pictures. He was called "The Boy Wonder" for his youth and his extraordinary ability to select the right scripts, choose the right actors, gather the best production staff and make very profitable films.-Life and...
was set to produce, and he was contacted by the Hays Office, who complained that "the trouble with the adaptation is that it builds up audience sympathy for Laura Murdock and supplies her with the means of securing sympathetic excuses for, if not actual approval of, her weakness of character." Additionally, the Office labeled it "much more dangerous than the original play, which for a long time has itself been considered dangerous motion picture material" and commented that the story did not go "far enough in building up the idea that Laura is being punished."
Reception
Ultimately, the film, like many others in the 1930s, was subject to censorship at the hands of the Production Code AdministrationProduction Code Administration
The Production Code Administration was established by the Motion Picture Association of America in 1934. The PCA required all filmmakers to submit their films for approval before release.-See also:* Pre-Code* Joseph Breen* Will H. Hays...
. Several alternate endings were created for this film. Following its release, Columbia sent a complaint letter in which it accused Hays Office with "unfairly preventing the studio from making the film, while allowing M-G-M to produce it." Meanwhile, censorship boards in Ireland, Nova Scotia and Alberta objected to the film and prevented its release.