For a period of time in the early 1930s, Hollywood studios tried to lure theatre stars to the movies, and "The Guardsman" was an attempt to launch the film careers of superstar stage couple Alfred Lunt and Lynne Fontanne. It didn't take, and neither went on to have a film presence, but they did both score Oscar nominations for recreating their stage performances, I believe the first time a husband and wife were nominated in the same year.
The movie is lightweight but fun. It's not the kind of thing I could imagine paying top dollar for to see on stage, regardless of the stars in it, but it passes the time entertainingly enough in the comfort of your living room. Both Lunt and Fontanne are very good and avoid the awkward, stilted acting that plagued many actors at the time who were much more used to performing in front of a camera. Lunt has the showier role, getting to impersonate a Russian prince and all, and he probably had some leading man screen potential. It's a risque film too, decidedly pre-Code in its treatment of marital infidelity.
Grade: B+
The movie is lightweight but fun. It's not the kind of thing I could imagine paying top dollar for to see on stage, regardless of the stars in it, but it passes the time entertainingly enough in the comfort of your living room. Both Lunt and Fontanne are very good and avoid the awkward, stilted acting that plagued many actors at the time who were much more used to performing in front of a camera. Lunt has the showier role, getting to impersonate a Russian prince and all, and he probably had some leading man screen potential. It's a risque film too, decidedly pre-Code in its treatment of marital infidelity.
Grade: B+