Film: Design & Architecture

God’s Gift to Women (1931)

Posted on 5 Comments
This glamorous group includes identical twins Eleanor and Karla Gutchrlein who were a dance act known as the Sisters G. Their dance number in the nightclub sequence was cut from the film. In fact all of the musical and dance numbers were cut from the American film version.
This glamorous group includes identical twins Eleanor and Karla Gutchrlein who were a dance act known as the Sisters G. Their dance number in the nightclub sequence was cut from the film. In fact all of the musical and dance numbers were cut from the American film version.

Another film where the bachelor pad plays a leading role. Directed by the legendary Michael Curtiz of Casablanca fame and starring Vaudville and stage star Frank Fay, this film is a Pre-Code bedroom farce set in Paris. Among the glamorous flappers in the film are the vivacious kewpie doll Joan Blondell, the femme fatale Louise Brooks, and the less-than-glamorous Laura LaPlante who plays the lead’s true love which is a real head scratcher for me. To see all 43 captured stills showcasing sets and costumes, click the link below.

(above) Frank Fay and the impossibly chic Louise Brooks.
(above) Frank Fay and the impossibly chic Louise Brooks.
(above) His home. Starting here, all stills of the bachelor’s home will be referred to as “his home.”
(above) His home. Starting here, all stills of the bachelor’s home will be referred to as “his home.”
(above) His home
(above) His home
(above) His home
(above) His home
(above) His home. The use of steps dropping from the front door entrance into the foyer is a common architectural feature used in films of the 1930s and 40s.
(above) His home. The use of steps dropping from the front door entrance into the foyer is a common architectural feature used in films of the 1930s and 40s.
(above) His home
(above) His home
(above) His home
(above) His home
(above) His home
(above) His home
(above) His home
(above) His home
(above) At the home where the leading lady and her father reside.
(above) At the home where the leading lady and her father reside.
(above) At her home.
(above) At her home.
(above) At her home.
(above) At her home.
(above) At her home.
(above) At her home.
(above) Back at the bachelor's pad.
(above) Back at the bachelor’s pad.
(above) His home.
(above) His home.
(above) His home in the kitchen.
(above) His home in the kitchen.
(above) His home.
(above) His home.
(above) His home.
(above) His home.
(above) His home.
(above) His home.
(above) His home.
(above) His home.
(above) His home.
(above) His home.
(above) His home in the study.
(above) His home in the study.
(above) His home.
(above) His home.
(above) His home.
(above) His home.
(above) His home.
(above) His home.
(above) His home. There are so many wonderful seating options in this study including this built-in banquette.
(above) His home. There are so many wonderful seating options in this study including this built-in banquette.
(above) His home. In this corner of his study is another popular architectural feature used in set designs to delineate and define an area in a large room.
(above) His home. In this corner of his study is another popular architectural feature used in set designs to delineate and define an area in a large room.
(above) His home.
(above) His home.
(above) His home in the bedroom. The gauze sheets are an interesting choice for his bed.
(above) His home in the bedroom. The gauze sheets are an interesting choice for his bed.
(above) His home in the bedroom. I would like to have seen what this room looked like with all the statues uncovered, but to comply with the plot, they have been covered with cloth.
(above) His home in the bedroom. I would like to have seen what this room looked like with all the statues uncovered, but to comply with the plot, they have been covered with cloth.
(above) His home in the bedroom.
(above) His home in the bedroom.
(above) His home. The second floor landing is a room unto itself.
(above) His home. The second floor landing is a room unto itself.
(above) His home. The other end of the second floor landing.
(above) His home. The other end of the second floor landing.
(above) His home. These are no ordinary bedroom doors.
(above) His home. These are no ordinary bedroom doors.
(above) His home. Again we're in his study.
(above) His home. Again we’re in his study.
(above) His home in the salon/living room.
(above) His home in the salon/living room.
(above) His home in the salon/living room.
(above) His home in the salon/living room.
(above) His home in the salon. This was the only moment in the entire film that would allow my to see the fireplace in focus.
(above) His home in the salon. This was the only moment in the entire film that would allow my to see the fireplace in focus.
(above) At his home in the salon. This is a detail view of the mantel clock.
(above) At his home in the salon. This is a detail view of the mantel clock.
(above) At his home in the foyer.
(above) At his home in the foyer.
(above) At his home. You'll have to watch the film to understand this arrangement.
(above) At his home. You’ll have to watch the film to understand this arrangement.
(above) At his home. The final frame.
(above) At his home. The final frame.

5 thoughts on “God’s Gift to Women (1931)”

  1. Margaret Downs-Gamble says:

    Love the Art Nouveau stair rail, especially as it centers the second floor landing.

    Reply
    1. Patsy Ann says:

      Margaret, that whole area on the landing was a complete surprise. Especially since it was revealed so late in the film. Did you notice the fireplace in the corner? This bachelor’s home is truly a party palace.

      Reply
  2. Debby Mullen says:

    Love the fashion and interiors. I want to live in “his house”

    Reply
    1. Patsy Ann says:

      Debby, I just watched another similar film last night on TMC called “Bachelor Apartment”. Funny thing is that it was filmed the very same year, 1931, as this post’s film. I will have to located the DVD in order to capture stills to share with y’all.

      Reply
  3. Patricia Harmanci says:

    LOVE films of the 30’s & 40’s. The white rooms, the step-up and step-down rooms and parts of rooms, the decor, etc. THANK YOU so much for your blogs. Please don’t stop posting!

    Reply

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