Extravagance
"The story of a woman who wanted everything—and nearly lost the only thing that mattered!"
Plot
Alice Kendall is a spoiled socialite who remains oblivious to the fact that her mother has nearly bankrupted herself to maintain Alice's lavish lifestyle. When Alice marries the hardworking businessman Fred Garlan, her mother spends her final savings on a magnificent trousseau, leaving Fred to manage Alice's insatiable appetite for luxury. As Fred's business struggles, Alice becomes increasingly frustrated by his long hours and refusal to buy her an expensive sable coat. She eventually enters into a suspicious stock deal with a wealthy playboy named Harrison Morrell to acquire the coat, a decision that leads to a series of misunderstandings and a tragic confrontation involving her friend Esther. Ultimately, the consequences of her greed and a shocking suicide force Alice to confront her selfishness and reconcile with her husband.
About the Production
Produced by Tiffany Pictures, one of the leading 'Poverty Row' studios that attempted to compete with the majors by producing 'prestige' independent films. The film was directed by Phil Rosen, a former cinematographer and founding member of the ASC, who brought a more visual sensibility to the early sound era. The production utilized the RCA Photophone System for its sound recording, which was a common alternative to Western Electric at the time.
Historical Background
Released in October 1930, 'Extravagance' arrived exactly one year after the 1929 Stock Market Crash. The film's themes of reckless spending and financial ruin resonated deeply with an audience that was witnessing the collapse of the 'Roaring Twenties' prosperity. It reflects a transitional period in American history where the hedonism of the previous decade was being replaced by the grim realities of the Great Depression. The film also sits in the 'Pre-Code' era of Hollywood, allowing for a franker depiction of marital discord and the 'kept woman' dynamic than would be possible after 1934.
Why This Film Matters
The film is significant as a document of early 1930s social anxieties regarding class and consumption. It highlights the 'New Woman' of the era—independent but often portrayed as dangerously materialistic. As a product of Tiffany Pictures, it represents the efforts of independent studios to produce high-quality 'A-pictures' outside the major studio system. It also serves as a bridge between the silent era's melodramatic style and the more dialogue-heavy 'talkies' that would define the 1930s.
Making Of
The production of 'Extravagance' faced the typical challenges of early sound films, including the 'stiffness' of actors who had to remain near hidden microphones. Director Phil Rosen, having started as a cameraman, attempted to keep the camera moving more than many of his contemporaries, though the limitations of early sound booths are still evident in certain scenes. Casting Owen Moore was seen as a way to bring silent-era star power to the independent production. The film was marketed as a 'fashion show' of sorts, specifically targeting female audiences with its display of high-end costumes and sets, despite the moralistic ending that condemned such luxury.
Visual Style
Shot by Max Dupont, the film features the high-contrast lighting typical of early 1930s dramas. Because director Phil Rosen was a former cinematographer, the film contains several sophisticated visual compositions and 'deep focus' attempts that were advanced for a low-budget production of 1930.
Innovations
The film is noted for its early use of the RCA Photophone sound-on-film process. It also utilized sophisticated set designs by Ralph M. DeLacy to make a modest budget look like a major studio production.
Music
The film features a standard early sound score with minimal incidental music, relying heavily on diegetic sound and dialogue. The RCA Photophone system used for the film provided a relatively clear audio track for the era, though it lacks the complexity of later 1930s scores.
Famous Quotes
Alice: 'A woman is only as old as her clothes, Fred, and I'm feeling positively ancient in this rag!'
Fred: 'I'm not asking you to starve, Alice. I'm just asking you to wait.'
Morrell: 'In this world, Mrs. Garlan, you don't get something for nothing. But sometimes, the price is just a little... discretion.'
Memorable Scenes
- The opening sequence showing Alice's mother secretly selling her jewelry to pay for Alice's wedding finery.
- The tense dinner scene where Fred discovers the sable coat and realizes Alice has lied about its origin.
- The tragic climax involving Esther's suicide, which serves as the ultimate wake-up call for Alice's character.
Did You Know?
- The film is a notable example of 'Pre-Code' cinema, featuring themes of adultery and financial deception that would be strictly censored a few years later.
- Director Phil Rosen was one of the founders of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC).
- Jameson Thomas, who plays the playboy Morrell, was a British actor making his American film debut in this production.
- Owen Moore, who plays Jim Hamilton, was famously the first husband of 'America's Sweetheart' Mary Pickford.
- The film's plot serves as a cautionary tale released just as the Great Depression was beginning to take a severe toll on American households.
- June Collyer was known for her striking beauty and was often cast in roles requiring a 'million-dollar' look.
- The film was released by Tiffany Pictures, a studio that went bankrupt only two years later in 1932.
- The 'sable coat' plot point was a common trope in 1930s melodramas to symbolize the corrupting influence of material wealth.
What Critics Said
At the time of its release, critics praised June Collyer's performance and the film's high production values, which were considered impressive for an independent studio. Some reviewers noted the 'uncertainty' of the sound direction, a common critique for 1930 films. Modern critics view it as a fascinating, if somewhat formulaic, example of early sound melodrama that captures the specific aesthetic and moral tone of the early Depression era.
What Audiences Thought
Audiences of the time were drawn to the film's depiction of high society and glamorous fashion, which provided a form of escapism even as the plot warned against such lifestyles. The film performed reasonably well in independent circuits and was popular among female viewers who enjoyed the 'society drama' genre.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- The social melodramas of the late silent era
- The works of Cecil B. DeMille
- Real-life social scandals of the 1920s
This Film Influenced
- The Women (1939)
- Various 1930s 'fallen woman' films
- Imitation of Life (1934)
You Might Also Like
Film Restoration
The film is preserved and is available in various archival collections. It has been released on home video (DVD) by Alpha Video.