This romantic comedy is filled with stunningly frank sexual suggestion and trenchant observations about the impossibility of a "fun" marriage. A young, fetching Bette Davis stars as Helen, a fashion illustrator who prefers not to marry her boyfriend Don (Gene Raymond) even though she sleeps with him, much to the outrage of her stern father (Alphonse Ethier). She's afraid marriage will only spoil a good thing, and she's proven right when she finally agrees to marry him and the time spent on their Cuban honeymoon causes his business to hit the skids. Soon Don starts flirting with the bored wife (Claire Dodd) of a boiler manufacturer, while Helen goes out with a heavy lidded playboy (Monroe Owsley) who tries to take advantage of her. There are no easy answers in this refreshing film. Frank McHugh provides excellent comic support as Don's rich, drunken friend, Hugo, with Claire Dodd as his flapper wife. EX-LADY is a keen blend of brilliant dialogue, smooth performances, sensual photography, and succinct, bold direction by Robert Florey.

release year: 1933

star(s): Bette Davis