Behind Office Doors (1931)

People are voting emotionally.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

At a New York party, bright and attractive secretary Mary Astor (as Mary Linden) has fun with wealthy and attractive Ricardo Cortez (as Ronnie Wales). The two seem like an ideal couple, but Mr. Cortez is married and can't get a divorce. Besides, Ms. Astor has set her sights on playboy businessman Robert Ames (as James "Jim" Duneen). When her boss retires, Astor recommends Mr. Ames as replacement. Ames is up for the job as head of the paper distributing company where they work. Astor continues as the president's secretary and Ames shows little interest in her sexually. Instead, he beds trampy job applicant Edna Murphy (as Daisy Presby) and proposes to snobby heiress Catherine Dale Owen (as Ellen Robinson). Astor must consider drastic actions to win her man. "Behind Office Doors" is a dated, but gamely presented early talking picture; however, this doesn't combine in a way that makes it very engaging.**** Behind Office Doors (3/15/31) Melville Brown ~ Mary Astor, Robert Ames, Ricardo Cortez, Edna Murphy

A good vehicle for Mary Astor, who always radiated intelligence and beauty; she's stunningly gorgeous as a secretary who's smarter than her boss, Robert Ames, and helps him to the presidency of a paper company while being utterly neglected. The sexism of the day is annoying--she should really be president--but the role allows Astor a lot of range, she gets to do both funny and poignant, and she's never less than a great camera subject. Ames, a major leading man who died not long after this, doesn't reveal any great appeal or ability, and the ending's never much in doubt. But it's one of the better early-talkie looks at the great Mary.

This film features Mary Astor as the brains behind a NYC paper company, manipulating the personal life and business affairs of her boss, Robert Ames, who seems oblivious of her charms and too witless, frankly, to be a captain of industry. Ricardo Cortez is her long-suffering married would-be lover (did they ever consummate their relationship in Atlantic City?).Never a Mary Astor fan, I found her performance in this film to be outstanding. She carries the movie all by herself and exhibits a wide range of emotions without once overacting, which would have been a great temptation in a film of this type. The film itself is marred by an inferior supporting cast, especially Robert Ames, and a too-hurried wrap up at the end.

.....especially if she is surrounded by such dim witted men!!!! First of all there's Ronnie Wales (Ricardo Cortez) - he is attracted to Mary but will never divorce his wealthy wife as she controls the money. Then there is the man Mary (Mary Astor) really loves - Jim Duneen (Robert Ames) an idiot par excellence. He's crass, vulgar, always drunk and attracted to dopey flappers - which is why he is not interested in Mary. She is a super efficient girl Friday for Ritter and Co. and Jim is their top salesman. When their boss retires, due to ill health, he takes on board Mary's suggestion that Jim will be perfect to fill his place. He more than fulfills the faith Mary has in him - but does he really??? Although he takes all the credit, it is really Mary's efficiency and business sense that keeps the company at the top. She also teaches him how to talk and how to dress until he catches the eye of Ellen (Catherine Dale Owen), a wealthy society woman.Was Catherine Dale Owen the worst actress of that time - or was there another one!!! She said her lines as though she was playing in a 1929 talkie - not one from 1931!! Slowly, deliberately and enunciating every word. There was a scene between her and Mary Astor (one of the best actresses) - Mary was her beautiful, natural self but Catherine was all "Grand Dame". As John Springer once wrote - "Perhaps it wasn't John Gilbert's fault that he seemed ludicrous in his first talkie, after all, his leading lady was Catherine Dale Owen"!!!Ellen finds out that Mary loves Jim and forces her to leave the company - of course the place falls apart. The secretary that Jim has installed (Edna Murphy), one of his flings, almost burns his house down by falling asleep with a lighted cigarette!!! The ending is very disappointing but apart from that, the movie has lots of pre-code moments. When Mary rings Jim at midnight, they both happen to be "entertaining" and when Mary goes to Atlantic City with Ronnie, the complete casualness, as they both lounge about in peignoirs and smoking jackets!! There is one scene that makes the movie worthwhile - it is when Mary resigns and finally sees her path in life clearly (or so she thinks). She puts all her energy into this one little speech and she is just great!!!I like Mary Astor so much. In a sea of platinum blondes she stood out like a beacon with her calm dark beauty and poise. That's why the ending was so silly - Mary was far too smart to make the decision she did. Leaving her "damsel in distress" period with the silents, she entered the thirties with a variety of roles. She was always perfect as the quiet dependable wife, friend and secretary with ripples of sensuality just below the surface. Robert Ames, who seemed to excel a bit too much as the "boozey boss", was an actor that Radio Pictures had a lot of faith in, but in real life he was a hopeless alcoholic who died the same year (1931) of the D.T.s.Recommended.