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IMDbPro

Sin Takes a Holiday

  • 1930
  • Passed
  • 1h 21m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
855
YOUR RATING
Sin Takes a Holiday (1930)
ComedyRomance

A plain secretary works for a womanizing divorce lawyer who only dates married women. To avoid having to deal with the matrimonial pursuits of any of his potential romances, he offers her fi... Read allA plain secretary works for a womanizing divorce lawyer who only dates married women. To avoid having to deal with the matrimonial pursuits of any of his potential romances, he offers her financial support if she marries him in name only.A plain secretary works for a womanizing divorce lawyer who only dates married women. To avoid having to deal with the matrimonial pursuits of any of his potential romances, he offers her financial support if she marries him in name only.

  • Director
    • Paul L. Stein
  • Writers
    • Horace Jackson
    • Robert Milton
    • Dorothy Cairns
  • Stars
    • Constance Bennett
    • Kenneth MacKenna
    • Basil Rathbone
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.1/10
    855
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Paul L. Stein
    • Writers
      • Horace Jackson
      • Robert Milton
      • Dorothy Cairns
    • Stars
      • Constance Bennett
      • Kenneth MacKenna
      • Basil Rathbone
    • 23User reviews
    • 11Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins total

    Photos39

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    Top cast22

    Edit
    Constance Bennett
    Constance Bennett
    • Sylvia Brenner
    Kenneth MacKenna
    Kenneth MacKenna
    • Gaylord Stanton
    Basil Rathbone
    Basil Rathbone
    • Reggie Durant
    Rita La Roy
    Rita La Roy
    • Grace Lawrence
    • (as Rita LaRoy)
    Louis John Bartels
    Louis John Bartels
    • Richards
    John Roche
    John Roche
    • Sheridan
    Zasu Pitts
    Zasu Pitts
    • Annie
    Kendall Lee
    Kendall Lee
    • Miss Munson
    Muriel Finley
    Muriel Finley
    • Ruth
    • (as Murrel Finley)
    Judith Wood
    Judith Wood
    • Mrs. Graham
    • (as Helen Johnson)
    Fred Walton
    Fred Walton
    • Martin
    Richard Carle
    Richard Carle
    • Minister
    • (uncredited)
    Gino Corrado
    Gino Corrado
    • Dressmaker
    • (uncredited)
    George Davis
    George Davis
    • Butler at Villa
    • (uncredited)
    Rose Dione
    Rose Dione
    • Masseuse
    • (uncredited)
    Carl M. Leviness
    Carl M. Leviness
    • Nightclub Patron
    • (uncredited)
    Alphonse Martell
    Alphonse Martell
    • Man at Roulette Table
    • (uncredited)
    William H. O'Brien
    William H. O'Brien
    • Waiter at Royal Club
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Paul L. Stein
    • Writers
      • Horace Jackson
      • Robert Milton
      • Dorothy Cairns
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews23

    6.1855
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    Featured reviews

    7AAdaSC

    Enjoyably sinful

    Gaylord (Kenneth MacKenna) quickly arranges a marriage of convenience to his secretary, Sylvia (Constance Bennett) to avoid the advances of his socialite friend, Grace (Rita le Roy). Gaylord draws up a 1 year contract with Sylvia so that there is an understanding about how they can both behave and he encourages her to travel to France and do her own thing. However, after spending time in France with Reggie (Basil Rathbone), Sylvia returns to Gaylord to ask what he truly feels....

    This is a fun film. No-one is correct - everyone behaves atrociously. The men are ultimately revealed as cads or blind to their actions while the women are calculating and far more deliberate and nasty in their actions. It's interesting to watch to see who Sylvia will end up with........she ain't no angel.....don't be fooled by her apparent innocence. She's just as much of a bitch as Grace as her behaviour demonstrates. We have a confrontation at the end between all the characters involved which is what we have been anticipating and the dialogue is very entertaining.

    A mention about the character Gaylord. Well..........there's his name first of all...and then there is the fact that he doesn't seem interested in any women.....GAY....or maybe not, eh? I also think that they needed to make Constance Bennett far more plain in the first half of the story so that her transformation into a babe is believable. As it is, she looks good before and after. No change there.

    An enjoyable film.
    7ksf-2

    a pre-code marriage

    In a precode marriage, sylvia (constance bennett) agrees to marry her boss. But only under his terms... she promises to toot off to europe immediately, so he can fiddle around without the danger of having to marry his girlfriends. Which is so similar to the plot of the modern film "cactus flower"! So sylvia dutifully heads to paris, and meets the dashing durant. Which complicates things. Rathbone had done a couple silents and talkies prior to this, one of which is the fun "last of mrs. Cheyney", the first version. And so famous for playing sherlock holmes. Bennett is probably best known for "topper" and "merrily we live", both so much fun. Zasu pitts is in here as well. The movie is pretty good, if predictable. What happens when someone wants to change the terms of the agreement? Directed by paul stein. Died at 59.
    dougdoepke

    Needs Better Leading Man and Director

    A Cinderella story with Bennett transforming from dull office worker to ritzy glamor girl and a big gain in self-confidence. Never mind that her new found status depends on a marital arrangement with employer that relieves him from an unwanted pursuer (LaRoy). So Bennett's new-found status is never secure even as new opportunities open up. Thus complications ensue.

    There're some clever lines to enjoy along with Bennett's poignant innocence, still the flick lacks enlivening snap due mainly to Director Stein's flaccid direction and leading man Mac Kenna's rather bland presence. Too bad the zany Pitts doesn't get more screentime. Also, looks like the producers weren't sure whether they wanted a romantic comedy, drama, or Cummings showcase. Thus, the mixed, wavering results.

    And how about those ritzy uptown gowns of the period-- real eye-catchers, along with the fancy flivvers they ride around in. Then too, the decorous parlors and liquor lounges are well-crafted and outfitted. At the same time, it's a challenge to see the unromantic Sherlock Holmes (Rathbone) in a romantic role and even embracing the girl. Nonetheless, that majestic aquiline nose is perfect for the aristocratic Reggie Durant. Anyhow, Bennett would go on to A-grade movies with leading men like Cary Grant, (Topper, 1937). And a good thing too, since she's clearly better than the results here.
    6mateox

    Interesting pre-Code comedy, ultimately unsatisfying

    This pre-Code comedy is more interesting for its decor and reflection of the morals of the day than for its acting or story. The plot revolves around three characters, each in love with the one who isn't in love with her or him. Things work out in a way--two characters find each other and the third is left to move on. All this happens in an atmosphere of wealth, where amoral dalliance is both expected and titillating. An unfortunate effect is that the three characters come off as facile and, ultimately, unlikeable, the comedic talents of Bennett and the imposing presence of Rathbone notwithstanding. Despite the dismissal of a group of morally repugnant friends at the end, I didn't believe in the couple's future happiness--nor in the morally bankrupt world they inhabit and seem to enjoy. And I felt sorry for the one left out. He seemed the only character with a conscience. The always delightful presence of Zazu Pitts should be noted, though she plays a small role in the plot development. Enjoy this film for the marvelously fantastic Art Deco sets and wonderful period gowns. But ultimately, the resolution of the plot leaves one unsatisfied.
    6JoeytheBrit

    Sin Takes a Holiday review

    Lightweight froth featuring an early role for Basil Rathbone as a playboy who falls for newlywed Constance Bennett after learning that her marriage to businessman Kenneth MacKenna is a sham. Rathbone's ok, but, outside of the Sherlock Holmes movies, it's strange to watch him behaving reasonably honourably. Bennett looks a knockout, even when she's supposed to be dowdy.

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    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Présentateur vedette: La légende de Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Constance Bennett really plays the piano in this picture according to a contemporary article in Film Daily.
    • Goofs
      When Gaylord comments on Sylvia's stockings during their evening working session, Sylvia, in closeup, is seen with one leg crossed over the other at the knee. In the next long shot, Sylvia's legs are no longer crossed.
    • Quotes

      Sylvia Brenner: But, they're all so expensive.

      French Lingerie Saleslady: Oh, no, Madame. Just have them on when you show your husband the bill.

    • Soundtracks
      Nocturne in E Flat Major (Op. 9 No. 2)
      Music by Frédéric Chopin

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    FAQ16

    • How long is Sin Takes a Holiday?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 24, 1931 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
      • Italian
    • Also known as
      • El precio de una mujer
    • Filming locations
      • 849 South Broadway, Los Angeles, California, USA(opening establishing shot of the new Eastern Columbia building)
    • Production company
      • Pathé Exchange
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $450,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 21m(81 min)
    • Color
      • Black and White

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