Dry Martini (film)

Dry Martini
Directed byHarry d'Abbadie d'Arrast
Written byDouglas Z. Doty
Produced byWilliam Fox
StarringMary Astor
CinematographyConrad Wells
Edited byFrank E. Hull
Music byErno Rapee
Distributed byFox Film Corporation
Release date
  • October 7, 1928 (1928-10-07)
Running time
80 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguagesSound (Synchronized)
(English intertitles)

Dry Martini is a 1928 American synchronized sound comedy film produced and distributed by Fox Film Corporation starring Mary Astor and Matt Moore. While the film has no audible dialog, it was released with a synchronized musical score with sound effects using the sound-on-film movietone process. Samuel L. Rothafel also contributed music for the film. It was adapted from the 1926 novel Dry Martini: a Gentleman Turns to Love by John Thomas. Ray Flynn was an assistant director.[1][2]

Plot

Willoughby Quimby (Albert Gran), a middle-aged American millionaire, has been living a carefree, hedonistic life in Paris for the past decade. He originally came over during at the start of Prohibition, leaving behind his wife and young daughter, Elisabeth. Since then, he’s immersed himself in the city’s pleasures — cocktails at Harry’s American Bar, a string of Parisian girlfriends, and an easy camaraderie with his drinking companion Freddie Fletcher (Matt Moore), a perpetually cheerful fellow who is always missing boats and ordering dry martinis.

Quimby’s comfortable routine is shaken when he receives word from his ex-wife that Elisabeth (Mary Astor) will soon arrive for a visit. Expecting the prim little girl he left behind, Quimby hurriedly tries to “reform” — giving up his mistress Lucille Grosvenor (Sally Eilers) and his constant martinis, and attempting to sweep away the traces of his Parisian escapades.

When Elisabeth arrives, Quimby is surprised to find not a shy, sheltered young lady but a modern, independent-minded woman eager to enjoy life in Paris. She quickly attracts the attention of Paul de Launay (Albert Conti), a suave and sophisticated French artist. Fascinated by the city’s freer morals, Elisabeth even toys with the idea of entering into a “companionate marriage” with Paul — a union based on companionship rather than convention.

Freddie Fletcher, who quietly falls for Elisabeth, teams up with Quimby to keep her away from the charming but suspect Frenchman. Their attempts are both comedic and often unsuccessful. Eventually, word reaches Freddie that Elisabeth is visiting Paul at his apartment. Fearing the worst, he rushes over and confronts Paul in an off-screen scuffle. In a twist, the hero doesn’t triumph — Freddie is soundly beaten.

Nevertheless, the confrontation shakes Elisabeth’s romantic illusions. She begins to see Freddie’s genuine concern and decency beneath his carefree exterior. Realizing that he is the man she truly cares for, Elisabeth decides to return to America with him.

As father and daughter prepare to part ways, Quimby cheerfully reverts to his old Parisian habits, settling back into his familiar haunts, cocktails, and female companionship — content to let the younger generation seek love and adventure elsewhere.

Cast

Mary Astor and Albert Conti in the film

Censorship

When Dry Martini was released, many states and cities in the United States had censor boards that could require cuts or other eliminations before the film could be shown. The Kansas censor board ordered a cut of an intertitle with the caption, "You can count on her discretion."[3]

Preservation

Dry Martini is a lost film.[4][5][6]

See also

References

  1. ^ The American Film Institute Catalog Feature Films: 1921-30 by The American Film Institute, c.1971
  2. ^ Progressive Silent Film List: Dry Martini at silentera.com
  3. ^ "Eliminations Ordered in 1928 by Kansas Censor Board with Woman Members". Variety. 94 (6). New York City: Variety, Inc.: 5 February 20, 1929. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  4. ^ Dry Martini at Arne Andersen's Lost Film Files: Fox Film Corporation 1928 Archived December 8, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: Dry Martini
  6. ^ Dry Martini at TheGreatStars.com; Lost Films Wanted(Wayback Machine)


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