The Guardsman (1931) **

A film adaptation of Ferenc Molnar's play about a famous actor impersonating a Russian prince and trying to seduce his wife to test her fidelity. Had this film been directed by Ernst Lubitsch, it might have been a sparkling and sophisticated comedy. Unfortunately, under Sidney Franklin's rather mediocre direction, it's no more than a good showcase for two stage legends: Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontane. This being their only film together (except for cameos in 1943's "Stage Door Canteen"), it's often grossly overrated by critics.