#ben hecht

Design for Living (1933) is a pre-code romantic comedy film directed by Ernst Lubitsch based on the 1932 play of the same name by Noël Coward. Starring Fredric March, Gary Cooper, and Miriam Hopkins, the film is about a woman who cannot decide between two men who love her, and the trio agree to try living together in a platonic friendly relationship. The screenplay was written by Ben Hecht, and his adaptation was a vast departure from Coward's original play. Coward reportedly said, "I'm told that there are three of my original lines left in the film, such original ones as 'Pass the mustard". Despite mixed reviews, it was one of the top ten highest-grossing films of 1933. Censorship difficulties arose with the film due to sexual discussions and innuendos in the film. The Hays Office eventually approved it for release, but the film later was banned by the Legion of Decency.

Illustration by Wallace Smith for Ben Hecht’s Fantazius Mallare, 1922, via The Public Domain Review

Illustration by Wallace Smith for Ben Hecht’s Fantazius Mallare, 1922

Ben Hecht (February 28, 1894 – April 18, 1964), screenwriter, director.

An absolute delight. Lubitsch redeemed from The Love Parade last night. Never have two men looked more ostrich-like than when Tommy and George foot around their apartment at Gilda's first visit. E. E. Horton running as fast as he can is one of the funniest things I've ever seen. A perfect comparison of interesting people who happen to become wealthy as opposed to wealthy people trying desperately to be interesting. The set design of the dingy Paris apartment was gorgeous. All around wonderful.

Raft remained grateful to Hawks for the role and often praised his calm directing style, even offering for years afterward to work for him at reduced pay. Yet the production was not without its complications. During the shoot, Raft’s personal life briefly collided with the orbit of producer Howard Hughes, placing the young actor in a delicate—and potentially dangerous—situation. The incident ended quietly enough, but it was the kind of off-screen drama that could have derailed a career before it truly began. What exactly happened, and how close did Raft come to crossing the wrong man in Hollywood?

1951