Wide Open

"Wide Open" is an unusual film in that Edward Everett Horton, a supporting actor, is in the lead--and it's a very pleasant little comedy. Simon is a VERY mousy guy who hates women (Horton). He also is mistreated by those around him because he's so meek. However, one day, out of the blue, 'Miss Jones' (Patsy Ruth Miller) shows up at his house and just won't get lost--no matter how much Simon hates and is afraid of women. When some folks at work find out that a woman is at Simon's house, they think that Simon has gotten married and throw them a party. What's next? Well see it for yourself. Just be prepared--it's a very sweet and funny conclusion to the story.

In addition to these two actors, look for the Mack Sennett star, Louise Fazenda--the wife of producer Hal Wallis. And, note the many double-entendres which would NOT have been allowed after the Production Code would be enacted in mid-1934! Overall, a cute story--and ample proof that Horton was a very likable actor.

Edward Horton is Simon, meek, mild mannered worker. When co-worker Agatha and her mother bust into Simon's apartment, it seems to be a set up. they leave (apparently), and another young, partially dressed girl (Patsy Miller) shows up in his living room. the script needed fixing up, but it IS an early film with Edward Horton, in his usual complaining, overwhelmed self. the sound and picture are a bit iffy, but this is already 90 years old, so we're lucky to have such an oldie at all. and it's 1930, so it was still okay to show partially dressed women running around your living room. fast talking, not much of a plot, kind of runs like a vaudeville bit. This was one of six films Horton and Miller made together. pretty bland, but interesting for historical reasons. I'm a big fan of Edward Horton, and they gave him much better scripts over the next 20 years. Directed by Archie Mayo, who directed Bogart in Petrified Forest. Based on a book by Edwin Morris.

Wide Open showcases the comedy talents of Edward Everett Horton and Patsy Ruth Miller who work well as a team. This was one of the 5 pictures they made together in 1929-31. This one contains several amusing scenes (the sleepwalking scene) and good comic support by Louise Fazenda. Horton plays the usual befuddled bachelor who's made fun of by everyone else. Miss Miller is quite charming as his potential love interest who gives him some much needed self-confidence. This is one of her few surviving Warner Bros. talkies. No great shakes but a good, enjoyable comedy.

Wide Open (1930)

** (out of 4)

Bizarre comedy about a man named Simon (Edward Everett Horton) who lives in fear of women, which has somewhat turned into a hatred of them. His lifestyle is certainly cramped when Julia (Patsy Ruth Miller) enters his house and refuses to leave no matter what he tries. At first Simon hates everything that's going on but soon he's "wide open" to falling in love. WIDE OPEN isn't a film that made me laugh and I think even at 69-minutes it goes on way too long but at the same time it's just so strange and unique that you almost have to recommend it to film buffs. I think most people are going to be intrigued by the film because of the two stars. Horton will be remembered to some film buffs for her supporting roles so it's quite rare to get to see him in the lead. Miller will always be best remembered for her role in THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME and this here was filmed shortly before her retirement. The two of them ended up making five films together in a short period of time so clearly people enjoyed their comic abilities. When viewed today I personally found it to be quite annoying on one hand. Horton actually delivers a good performance playing this guy but he's almost too good because of how badly he gets on your nerves. This includes his character constantly talking fast, trying to say one thing but saying something wrong and then quickly having to go back and correct himself. I admit that I found it amusing how the actor could keep up with all of this dialogue but it still didn't make me laugh. Miller is charming in her role but the screenplay really doesn't give her too much to do. Louise Fazenda has a small role and is quite memorable.

Edward Everett Horton stars with Patsy Ruth Miller in "Wide Open," an early talkie and a pre-Code. Horton and Miller made five films together. She retired in 1931.

Horton is Simon Haldane, a man with some good ideas about his boss' business, but he's too shy to put himself forward. The boss' daughter, Doris (Miller) tries to give him confidence, and soon he is promoted to General Manager.

But things at home aren't good, and what a home. Simon is afraid of women and doesn't like them, but they're milling around. A stenographer at work likes him, but worse than that is, one day a woman he has never seen before shows up with her mother, and her mother demands that he marry her. Not only that, she won't leave.

Archie Mayo directed this, and the screenplay is written by James Starr and Arthur Caesar.

At 69 minutes, this would have been fine at just a half hour - at 69 minutes it feels like it's the length of Howard's End. You'll swear to it.

Edward Everett Horton was always delightful, and his comedy in this is very good. I don't know what it was in 1930, but today it's not a laugh-out-loud comedy. It has a couple of funny scenes. Louise Fazenda has a small role.