Contract director Archie Mayo directed the Pre-Code Drama, Two Against the World, starring Constance Bennett as a woman who tries her best to keep her sister and brother out of trouble.
It is based on the play “A Dangerous Set” by Marion Dix and Jerry Horwin.
The film, as well as Unashamed (1932), is based o Philadelphia society murder by Eddie Allen, who killed Francis Donaldson III in “honor killing.”
Lawyer Dave Norton offers settlement for the destitute family of a man killed while working for the Hamilton family firm. As a result, the upper-class Hamiltons gather to decide what to do.
They all either vote to fight it in court or simply ignore it. and “Dell” Hamilton, who’s irresponsible socialite, does the latter. However, she and Dave are attracted to each other, despite different philosophies of life.
At an elegant party, he gets cold reception from the family, who consider him beneath them, but he astonishes by revealing that his family belongs to their own social class.
Bob, Adele’s drunkard brother, remains hostile, however, and lies, telling Dave that Dell invited him in order to make fool of him.
The next day, Dell interrupts an unhappy meeting at Dave’s office. She overhears Dave tell his client, Mrs. Polansky, that the Hamiltons’ lawyers can postpone the case indefinitely. When the client wonders who will feed her hungry children, Dell gives her $100 and promises her the same every month for as long as the case takes.
Unaware Bob is the killer, District Attorney Mills agrees to keep the Hamilton name out of the scandal, but public opinion and newspaper reporter Segall will not let the case be forgotten. Blaming Dave for the uproar, Mills forces the lawyer to take over the case as the newly appointed deputy district attorney by threatening to ruin his career. Dell, however, believes he took the job to further ambitions.
The doorman recognizes Dell when she leaves Dave’s office, which puts her on trial. On the witness stand, however, Dave cannot bring himself to cross examine her and accepts her unconvincing story.
However, the doorman catches her in a lie, and the truth comes out. Bob is acquitted for defending his sister’s honor, and Dell and Dave get back together.
Cast
Constance Bennett as Adele “Dell” Hamilton
Neil Hamilton as David “Dave” Norton
Helen Vinson as Corinne Walton
Allen Vincent as Bob Hamilton
Gavin Gordon as Victor H. “Vic” Linley
Walter Walker as Courtney Hamilton
Roscoe Karns as Segall
Alan Mowbray as George “Georgie” Walton
Hale Hamilton as Gordon Mitchell
Oscar Apfel as District Attorney Howard Mills
Louise Carter as Mrs. Polansky
Credits:
Directed by Archie Mayo
Written by Sheridan Gibney, based on the play A Dangerous Set by Marion Dix and Jerry Horwin
Produced by Lucien Hubbard (uncredited)
Cinematography Charles Rosher
Production and distribution: Warner Bros.; Vitaphone Corp.
Release date: September 2, 1932
Running time: 69 minutes
Note:
TCM showed the movie on August 22, 2022.
