Transgression (1931 film)
| Transgression | |
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Theatrical poster
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| Directed by |
Herbert Brenon Ray Lissner (assistant) |
| Produced by |
William LeBaron Herbert Brenon |
| Written by | Benn W. Levy |
| Screenplay by | Elizabeth Meehan |
| Based on | the novel, The Next Corner by Kate Jordan |
| Starring |
Kay Francis Paul Cavanagh Ricardo Cortez |
| Music by | Max Steiner |
| Cinematography | Leo Tover |
| Edited by | Arthur Roberts |
| Distributed by | RKO Radio Pictures |
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Release date
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Running time
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70 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Transgression is a 1931 Pre-Code American drama film directed by Herbert Brenon, using a screenplay written by Elizabeth Meehan, adapted from Kate Jordan's 1921 novel, The Next Corner. The film stars Kay Francis (on loan from Paramount), Paul Cavanagh (on loan from Fox), and Ricardo Cortez, and deals with the romantic entanglements of a wealthy English businessman, his wife and a Spanish nobleman.
The film is remake of a 1924 silent film named after the novel, which stars Dorothy Mackaill and Lon Chaney, as well as having Cortez in the same role as this film. Produced and distributed by RKO Radio Pictures, it was premiered in New York City on June 12, 1931, with a national release two weeks later on June 27.
Required to travel to India for a year to oversee financial matters, English businessman Robert Maury (Paul Cavanagh) is in a quandary regarding his young wife. His older sister, Honora (Nance O'Neil), suggest that he leave her at their country estate, where she can keep an eye on her. But his wife, Elsie (Kay Francis), is fearful of the boredom which may set in if she were to remain on the isolated property. Maury gives in to his wife's fears, and decides to allow her to move to Paris for the duration of his time on the sub-continent.
In Paris, she falls under the guidance of the sophisticated Paula Vrain (Doris Lloyd), who begins to teach her how to fit into the decadent Parisian lifestyle. She quickly assimilates to her surroundings, and begins to attract attention from the men in her social sphere. One in particular, a Spanish nobleman named Don Arturo de Borgus (Ricardo Cortez), begins to pay her special attention. Elsie struggles to keep the relationship platonic, and as her husband's year-long absence draws to a close, she decides that the temptation has become too great. With Maury's return imminent, Elsie is convinced to attend one last party by Paula, who unbeknownst to Elsie is working on Don Arturo's behalf. At the party the Spanish nobleman gives Elsie's seduction one last-ditch attempt. And it is beginning to work. Arturo invites Elsie to spend the weekend at his estate in Spain. She is considering the offer when Maury shows up unexpectedly. He is dismayed by the changes in his wife. He had left an innocent behind, and now he has come back to a sophisticated, jaded woman. His dismay, coupled with their year-long separation, causes him to act cool towards her. It is this coolness which makes up her mind. When Maury requests that she return to England with him the next day, she defers, saying she wants to stay behind to say goodbye to the friends she has made while in Paris.
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