How to Undress in Front of Your Husband

How to Undress in Front of Your Husband
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Dwain Esper
Screenplay by Hildagarde Stadie
Starring
Narrated by Albert Van Antwerp
Music by Herb Eicke
Cinematography Roland Price
Release date
 1937
Running time
 14 minutes
Country United States
Language English

How to Undress in Front of Your Husband is a 1937 short comedic film directed by Dwain Esper.[1]

Plot

The privacy of two Hollywood celebrities is compromised when a Peeping Tom watches them disrobe. One of the women is described as possessing a graceful and alluring glamour, while the other climbs into bed as the narrator declares, "the dreadnought is about to drop anchor." Their contrasting styles are presented as an object lesson on how to cure a listless marriage.

In Elaine's bedroom, she has come home tired from a party in Hollywood. However, she shows gracefulness in properly taking off her dress, undergarments, stockings and shoes for her nightgown and comfortable slippers. She also makes an effort to comb her hair properly and climb into bed gracefully.

In Trixie's room, she also comes home tired from a party. Unlike Elaine, she improperly undresses by leaving her dress, corset, stockings and shoes on the ground, even kicking them away to put her nightgown on. Trixie doesn't bother to comb her hair by wearing a ruffled shower cap throwing every decoration on her bed to the floor except for two pillows and goes to bed.

At the end of the short the Peeping Tom while developing his photographs in his own developing room is busted by his wife who had found out about his peeping ways. She tosses the photos in his face and orders him to come to dinner at once or she would expose him. The Peeping Tom is bewildered as she slams the door closed.

Cast

Production

The film humorously censors itself by blocking a revealing scene in which the narrator deadpans, "and that man's here again." However, the release was not without controversy. A copyright infringement suit was filed against Elaine Barrie and Dwain Esper claiming that E. K. Nadel had exclusive rights to the title.[2] Moreover, Elaine Barrie appeared in the film during her tumultuous marriage to John Barrymore, infuriating the Barrymore family.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "How to Undress". Catalog of Holdings the American Film Institute Collection and the United Artists Collection at the Library of Congress. American Film Institute. 1978. p. 84. ASIN B00FPOMTYG.
  2. ↑ "Elaine Barrymore's Title Right Doubted". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. United Press International. 13 June 1937. p. 7.
  3. ↑ Martin, Douglas (4 March 2003). "Elaine Barrie, 87, Dies; Married Barrymore". The New York Times.
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