Why Announce Your Marriage? (1922)
Directed by Alan Crosland
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Synopsis by Janiss Garza
When author Fannie Hurst suggested that married couples would be happier if they kept separate residences, it titillated post-World War I Americans. This bedroom farce -- which is very much of its era -- takes Hurst's concept to heart. Even though artist Arline Mayfair (Elaine Hammerstein) loves Jimmy Winthrop (Niles Welch), she wants to be known for her creations, not just as Winthrop's wife. To solve the dilemma, the couple secretly marry and keep their own residences. But they are not able to avoid their gossipy friends. The friends show up at Arlene's one night while Winthrop is over, and even though he manages to hide, it is obvious that she has been entertaining someone of the male gender. The same thing happens when the pair try to get comfortable at Winthrop's home. With both their reputations on the verge of being ruined, they finally decide to get away from everyone and spend the night in a hotel. But a burglar, followed by a drunk (Arthur Housman, who made a career of playing inebriates), flushes them out. The drunk finds their marriage license, saving the couple from further scandal.
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Keywords
burglary, gossip, marriage, secret-marriage, secrets