Summaries

Synopsis

Writer Nelly Wayne spends more time at her typewriter than with Pendleton, her husband. When he reminds her that it is their anniversary and they are to celebrate it at the Tanglewood Club, she admits she forgot and complains she does not have a thing to wear. "The shops are full of gowns," Pendleton says. "Why don't you buy some? You're still young and you look like an old woman!" Meanwhile, Jill Wetherell wants a husband and does not care whose she takes. She phones Pendleton, and tells him "be sure no one's listening, Sheik - your Sheba's talking. Tonight will be a total loss at the club if you're not there - I must be petted! And it has to be you!" Pendleton then tells his wife it was just a call from the office. Next, Jill rings up Perley Rex, a bachelor who is in no hurry to settle down. She repeats the same lines she spoke to Pendleton: "Tonight will be a total loss at the club if you're not there - I must be petted! And it has to be you!" Perley looks at his friend, Peter Granville, aka "Granny," and remarks "Jill's a great girl - but she wants a husband - and I don't want to tale the lock-step - yet." At the club, Jill encounters Perley in the library. She fusses with his hair, and he resists. "Am I really poison ivy to you, Perley, or are you afraid you might like me - too well?" she asks coyly. "That's just it," he replies. "I'm afraid I might fall for you." Just then, he notices Pendleton and remarks "there's Pen Wayne. Try your siren arts on him." Nelly is engaged in conversation with Granny, who has always been interested in her. At the same time, Pendleton and Jill find a secluded spot. Pendleton says "Jill, we can't go on this way - it's just plain Hell." Jill replies "If you love me, Pen - get your divorce." The pair embrace, just as Nelly and Granny enter the room. Jill exits, and Nelly asks her husband if he loves the girl. When he admits that he does, she replies "you mean - you want a divorce - so you can marry her?" He doesn't reply, and leaves the room. Jill returns and the two women have it out. "Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror?" Jill asks sarcastically. "Husbands are strange animals - they like 'em dumb and good to look at. Mrs. Wayne, a woman who can't hold her husband deserves to lose him." Nelly pleads with Jill, to no avail. After Nelly leaves, Perley enters the room, livid at what has happened. He tells Jill she really loves him, not Pendleton. "I've fought against you ever since we met - but when I saw you in Pen Wayne's arms, I knew it was all over." Jill, overwhelmed by Perley's passion, sighs "I adore you!" Perley takes Jill's hand, spots Pen, and says "my future wife." Perley is called to the telephone, Pendleton confronts Jill. "Jill, it can't be true - you promised to marry me!" "That was before Perley asked me," replies Jill. Later, at the Wayne home, Pendleton tries to explain to Nelly, but she removes her wedding ring and drops it in his hand. Two years pass, and the scene shifts to France. Perley and Jill are booking a ship to return to the States. Also staying at their hotel is Mrs. Paramor, author of the bestseller Age of Discretion. She reads a letter, which says "Dearest Nelly: You'll always be Nelly to me, even if you are the famous Mrs. Paramor. As it is three months since I have seen you I feel like running over to Paris again to ask you the same old question. Always your devoted, Granny." She looks at a photo of Granny, when Perley unexpectedly enters her room. Her dog barks at him, and she tries to quiet him. "I seem to have stopped off at the wrong floor," Perley says. He then notices the picture of Granny, exclaiming "he's my best pal!" He hands Mrs. Paramor his card, and she asks "is Mrs. Rex with you?" He nods and explains they are staying one floor above. Shortly thereafter, Perley and Jill are aboard ship, unaware that Mrs. Paramor is also a passenger. Perley runs into her, and is delighted to see her. While Jill remains in her cabin, seasick, Perley and Mrs. Paramor begin spending time together. "I hope this won't prove just a shipboard friendship," says Perley. Arriving in the States, Mrs. Paramor's novel is about to be made into a film. Her former husband calls on her, and admits "I haven't known one moment of happiness since you left me." "I thought I would never get over it, Pen. I loved you so. But that love is dead now - I've put it out of my heart forever." Meanwhile, Jill and Perley argue over Perley's continuing relationship with Mrs. Paramor. Perley leaves their house to meet Mrs. Paramor. Granny visits Mrs. Paramor, and says "Nelly, I can't understand your carrying on this way with Perley Rex. Aren't you forgetting that he has a wife?" "Mrs. Perley Rex is the one woman I am not likely to forget," she replies. Jill goes to Mrs. Paramor's home, looking for Perley. The two women meet, while Perley is elsewhere on the estate. Mrs. Paramor informs Jill she is giving a dinner party at the Tanglewood Club the following night for the company filming her novel, and she has invited Jill and her husband. Perley enters, and Jill accepts the invitation, saying "thank you, my dear Mrs. Paramor, nothing could keep me away." At the dinner party, the stars come out, including John Gilbert, Norma Shearer, William Haines, May McAvoy, Aileen Pringle, and Mae Murray. Meanwhile, Pendleton sits alone at a table. Perley rises and says "here's to the success of a great picture - and the continued success of a great writer!" As the party is in full swing, Jill finds a note on the floor which reads "must have five minutes alone with you. Meet me in library after dinner." Infuriated, Jill heads for the library. As she stands in the doorway, she sees her husband making love to Mrs. Paramor. "My dear boy," says Mrs. Paramor, "do keep your mind on Mrs. Rex." Perley confesses his love for Mrs. Paramor, claiming his marriage has become a farce. Jill screams and faints, and Perley rushes to her. The next morning, Perley tells Jill he wants a divorce, and he will agree to any financial settlement. He leaves, and Jill goes to her dresser and takes out a gun. Perley goes to Mrs. Paramor and tells her he is getting a divorce. Jill arrives and tells Mrs. Paramor she wants to see her alone. Perley leaves the room, and Jill has it out with her rival. "He's my husband - give him back to me," she demands. "But he won't go back," retorts Mrs. Paramor. "Evidently your husband doesn't want them dumb and good to look at." Jill starts to withdraw the gun from her purse, when Mrs. Paramor adds "besides - you told me that a woman who couldn't hold her husband deserves to lose him." Jill begins to put the gun back in her purse. "Two years ago I stood in your place, begging for mercy, and you laughed at me," says Mrs. Paramor. Jill, defeated, drops to her knees. Mrs. Paramor helps her up, and says "I don't want your husband. I never intended to take him - but I did want to teach you a lesson. Don't make my mistake - I was too proud to forgive the man I loved - take Perley back and start again." She apologizes to Perley and takes his hand. After the couple leave, she writes a letter to Pendleton, admitting that she has never loved anyone but him. The two are happily reunited.