Karry Best movie of this year hands down!

GamerTab That was an excellent one.

Colibel Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

Billy Ollie Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

mark.waltz Working hard for aging boss Charles Sellon (who is too old to notice the legs crossed as she takes dictation), Mary Astor is devoted to her job and in love with second in charge Robert Ames. He barely notices her so she accepts the affections of suave Ricardo Cortez who unfortunately is married (although separated for years) but not willing to try to get a divorce. When life-threatening ailments cause Sellon to suddenly retire, Astor and Ames begin to spend more time together, and she is disturbed by his hiring a dim-witted assistant for her. Astor proves she is "Johnny on the spot" (like Julie Andrews' Millie) in keeping the office and Ames' home in order, so when Ames suddenly announces his engagement to wealthy socialite Catherine Dale Owen, Astor is naturally hurt and decides to resign. But the lack of finding a good replacement after firing the incompetent Edna Murphy makes Ames desperate, and when Mary finds out, she makes one last effort to win him over. But is falling in love with the boss worth it? In depression era, pre-code times it was, and more often than not, unless their boss was Clarence Wilson, the heroine did.It's Mary Astor's film all the way, playing a very noble character who still won't put up with the dizzy antics of the ridiculous Murphy who storms into boss Ames' office against Astor's orders on her very first day. When she throws her newly purchased negligee in Astor's face, you might think that something like this could never happen. Certainly, in this politically correct, office politics rule era, it would be unthinkable, but the dark days of the depression saw some young women using what they had to get ahead. Remember that the early 1930's were pre-code, delightfully un-P.C. with female characters telling other females things such as "As long as there are streets, you'll have a job!" Murphy is even dumber than the character of Hedy LaRue in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying", but in her case, it's How to succeed in the boss's bedroom without really stripping".Frankly, I didn't see any qualities in Ames which would make sense for Mary Astor to fall in love with him. He's a drunken bore, prone to office hang-overs, even after coming in late, and while Cortez is married, it is apparent that after a time, he would divorce his wife to marry Astor. Sellon, a delightful old character actor, is given several zippy scenes, while Owen, as the seemingly sweet daughter of the firm's banking representative, shows claws when she realizes what she's up against with Astor. Kitty Kelly (not related to the notorious tell-all biographer) also adds spark as Mary's free-spirited pal who throws a great "truth or dare" party where Astor and Cortez are thrown together in a rather risqué bedroom scene where they actually sit on the bed. This is a fun pre-code drama which if you take away the whole personal business in the office business world, you can enjoy for an era of political incorrectness and personal sexual freedom that doesn't exist anymore.

wes-connors At a New York party, bright and attractive secretary Mary Astor (as Mary Linden) has fun with wealthy and attractive Ricardo Cortez (as Ronnie Wales). The two seem like an ideal couple, but Mr. Cortez is married and can't get a divorce. Besides, Ms. Astor has set her sights on playboy businessman Robert Ames (as James "Jim" Duneen). When her boss retires, Astor recommends Mr. Ames as replacement. Ames is up for the job as head of the paper distributing company where they work. Astor continues as the president's secretary and Ames shows little interest in her sexually. Instead, he beds trampy job applicant Edna Murphy (as Daisy Presby) and proposes to snobby heiress Catherine Dale Owen (as Ellen Robinson). Astor must consider drastic actions to win her man. "Behind Office Doors" is a dated, but gamely presented early talking picture; however, this doesn't combine in a way that makes it very engaging.**** Behind Office Doors (3/15/31) Melville Brown ~ Mary Astor, Robert Ames, Ricardo Cortez, Edna Murphy

kidboots .....especially if she is surrounded by such dim witted men!!!! First of all there's Ronnie Wales (Ricardo Cortez) - he is attracted to Mary but will never divorce his wealthy wife as she controls the money. Then there is the man Mary (Mary Astor) really loves - Jim Duneen (Robert Ames) an idiot par excellence. He's crass, vulgar, always drunk and attracted to dopey flappers - which is why he is not interested in Mary. She is a super efficient girl Friday for Ritter and Co. and Jim is their top salesman. When their boss retires, due to ill health, he takes on board Mary's suggestion that Jim will be perfect to fill his place. He more than fulfills the faith Mary has in him - but does he really??? Although he takes all the credit, it is really Mary's efficiency and business sense that keeps the company at the top. She also teaches him how to talk and how to dress until he catches the eye of Ellen (Catherine Dale Owen), a wealthy society woman.Was Catherine Dale Owen the worst actress of that time - or was there another one!!! She said her lines as though she was playing in a 1929 talkie - not one from 1931!! Slowly, deliberately and enunciating every word. There was a scene between her and Mary Astor (one of the best actresses) - Mary was her beautiful, natural self but Catherine was all "Grand Dame". As John Springer once wrote - "Perhaps it wasn't John Gilbert's fault that he seemed ludicrous in his first talkie, after all, his leading lady was Catherine Dale Owen"!!!Ellen finds out that Mary loves Jim and forces her to leave the company - of course the place falls apart. The secretary that Jim has installed (Edna Murphy), one of his flings, almost burns his house down by falling asleep with a lighted cigarette!!! The ending is very disappointing but apart from that, the movie has lots of pre-code moments. When Mary rings Jim at midnight, they both happen to be "entertaining" and when Mary goes to Atlantic City with Ronnie, the complete casualness, as they both lounge about in peignoirs and smoking jackets!! There is one scene that makes the movie worthwhile - it is when Mary resigns and finally sees her path in life clearly (or so she thinks). She puts all her energy into this one little speech and she is just great!!!I like Mary Astor so much. In a sea of platinum blondes she stood out like a beacon with her calm dark beauty and poise. That's why the ending was so silly - Mary was far too smart to make the decision she did. Leaving her "damsel in distress" period with the silents, she entered the thirties with a variety of roles. She was always perfect as the quiet dependable wife, friend and secretary with ripples of sensuality just below the surface. Robert Ames, who seemed to excel a bit too much as the "boozey boss", was an actor that Radio Pictures had a lot of faith in, but in real life he was a hopeless alcoholic who died the same year (1931) of the D.T.s.Recommended.

funkyfry This is a pretty clever, well-acted version of the "modern" 30s woman's fairytale romance. In this case, she helps the man she loves become head of the company while serving as his secretary and eventually wins his love from a scheming social butterfly. Interestingly, her business sense is shown as subtly parallel to her homemaking prowess, and the ladies of the office are depicted as the "powers behind the throne." Lifted way above the average by Mrs. Astor's intelligent performance.