Strictly Dishonorable

It's a real treat to watch Lewis Stone, who made a career out of playing fine upstanding men, play a drunken judge. He has the lion's share of very funny lines and takes. Sidney Fox is quite good, although I had a hard time understanding her lines from time to time. But overlooking everything a surprisingly memorable performance from Paul Lukas is turned in here. Lukas was playing against type here as a genial cultured gentleman who finally meets his match with women as he falls hopelessly in love with Sidney Fox. Is it love or is it lust? He does a great turn as a man whose old world charm, courtliness, and politeness collides with his sexual desire. He makes the most out of his part and is genuinely funny. For a man who played heavies and Nazi officers most of his career he must have really enjoyed this stretch.

The humor in this film holds up surprisingly well to this day. It was made at a time when sound technology was still finding it's way, I found myself laughing out loud. Wonderful writing by Preston Sturges!

Now available on DVD.