| Michael and Mary | |
| Director: | Victor Saville |
| Producer: | Michael Balcon |
| Based On: | Michael and Mary by A. A. Milne |
| Music: | Louis Levy |
| Cinematography: | Leslie Rowson |
| Editing: | Ian Dalrymple |
| Studio: | Gainsborough Pictures |
| Distributor: | Ideal Films Universal Pictures (US) |
| Runtime: | 83 minutes |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Language: | English |
Michael and Mary is a 1931 British drama film directed by Victor Saville and starring Elizabeth Allan, Edna Best, Frank Lawton, and Herbert Marshall. This was the first of the Edna Best and Herbert Marshall co-starring talkies. It was based on a play of the same name by A.A. Milne. Milne's story was adapted by Lajos Bíró,Robert Stevenson and Angus MacPhail. Produced by Gainsborough Pictures, it was shot at the company's Islington Studios in London.[1] The film's sets were designed by the art director Alex Vetchinsky.
The play was first performed on 13 December 1929 at the Charles Hopkins Theatre in New York. It starred Henry Hull, Edith Barrett and Harry Beresford. It then transferred to the St James's Theatre in London's West End.
A young bride (Edna Best) is deserted by her husband (D. A. Clarke-Smith) but finds happiness with another man (Herbert Marshall). They contract a bigamous marriage for the sake of their child (Frank Lawton).
The first husband turns up and starts black-mailing them. During a quarrel with the second husband, he dies. After some complications, their son learns the truth, but stands by them.
The film was voted the third best British movie of 1932.[2] With a shortened running time of 76 minutes, it was distributed in America by Universal Pictures.
Michael and Mary was presented on Hollywood Sound Stage 20 March 1952. The 30-minute adaptation starred Deborah Kerr and Herbert Marshall.[3]