Cyril Gardner Movies

In this British comedy, a poor college porter suddenly becomes an earl and must protect his newly inherited estate from clever con artists who try to convince him that there is oil on his land. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

The fashion industry provides the satisfaction missing in Taylor's life after her lazy husband dies. ~ All Movie Guide

Star Gloria Swanson also co-produced this British film, a romantic comedy/drama that teamed her with a young Laurence Olivier. Judy Rogers (Swanson), an American vacationing in England, meets aristocrat Nicholas Randall (Olivier) and the two fall in love. They agree to marry but insist they'll never have any disagreements -- while both intending to maintain their independence. After an idyllic honeymoon, they are separated briefly and Nicholas strays with Lady Stephanie Fitzmaurice (Nora Swinburne). After he confesses to Judy, she decides to date the eligible Ivan Ronnson (John Halliday), but keeps the encounter a flirtation only. Their marriage becomes shaky, but Judy and Nicholas weather their doubts and come to love each other all the more. Note the film's co-writer: Michael Powell, who would later direct, write, and produce Black Narcissus and The Red Shoes (in collaboration with Emeric Pressburger). ~ Nicole Gagne, All Movie Guide

In this drama, a married couple who own a speakeasy aspire to go legitimate and open a gas station; unfortunately, they are perennially broke because the husband is addicted to gambling on the horses. Their situation makes them easy marks for a racketeer who uses the couple as a front. Fortunately, the couple overcome their weaknesses, save the needed money, and achieve their humble dream. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

George Cukor received his first film directorial credit for Grumpy, though he was contractually bound to share billing with Broadway director Cyril Gardner. Cyril Maude recreates his stage role as a cranky retired lawyer with the requisite 14-carat heart. The lawyer's daughter (Frances Dade) has a boyfriend who is accused of stealing a valuable diamond. Setting his nightcap and pacing around his living room in his pajamas, "Grumpy" solves the case. Adapted from the play by Horace Hodges and Thomas Percival, Grumpy was previously filmed in 1923 with Theodore Roberts in the title role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Trespasser was Gloria Swanson's first all-talking picture. All talk is right. Swanson plays a humble secretary who marries the son (Robert Ames) of a domineering millionaire (William Holden--no, not that William Holden). The father-in-law bullies Swanson into giving up his son; she agrees to step out of his life, proudly withholding the fact that she's about to become a mother. Later, Swanson enters her ex-husband's social class via an inheritance. Unfortunately, he's remarried to Kay Hammond, who is crippled and thus more needful of the man's love and comfort than self-reliant Swanson. Tearfully, Swanson gives up the man she loves, left only with her child and a bulging bank account. When Trespasser was remade by director Edmund Goulding as That Certain Woman with Bette Davis in 1937, a last-minute happy ending was tacked on--if one can call the death of wife number two a joyous event. As for the original film, Gloria Swanson proved (contrary to the popular belief engendered by Sunset Boulevard) that she could have been just as big a star in talkies as she'd been in silents (she even sings well); unfortunately her subsequent judgment in screenplay selection resulted in a string of flops. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide