1931-1932 – Alfred Lunt
The Guardsman
Apparently, this was the only film Lunt ever did, and though he did well in front of the camera, he, and his wife/costar, Lynn Fontaine, decided they didn’t like the experience, and returned to the stage. I thought he did just fine, and if he had stuck with it, gotten used to the new medium, he might have gone on to be a recognized name in Hollywood. His acting was good, his comedic timing was spot-on, and he was a pleasure to watch on the screen.
On the cast list, his character was known only as the Actor. The actor was married to the Actress, played by Fontaine, and he was a jealous man. So, being the stereotypical, egotistical thespian, he decides to put his incomparable acting skills to work and create an alternate persona to test his wife’s love and loyalty. Thus, we meet the Russian prince who attempts to seduce the Actress.
Lunt played both personas well enough, but I must say, the Russian was more interesting to watch. He was more fun, which was all to the better, since this was, after all, a comedy. And he was funny, one minute being accepted by the woman, and the next being turned away. The Russian accent was thick and the costumes were more fanciful and playful. Lunt did a fine job of making his two divergent characters distinct and just over-the-top enough to be entertaining. He was particularly good in the scene where the Actress is throwing herself at him, while at the same time kicking him out of her apartment. His extreme confusion was so perfectly played.
But though the Actor’s true persona wasn’t as interesting, Lunt still did the part justice. He was insecure through his ego and desperate for his wife’s affection. And when she took him in her arms, you could feel that desperation. There was a scene where she feigns hurt at his mistrust and he literally begs for her forgiveness. There was more than simple acting there. There seemed to be a real tenderness that that I actually liked. Of course Lunt was fawning over his actual wife, and that chemistry came through pretty clearly. Lunt did a good job, and I like that he was recognized for an honest and earnest performance.