''Slander House'' is a 1938 American film directed by

Charles Lamont Charles Lamont (May 5, 1895 – September 11, 1993) was a prolific filmmaker, directing over 200 titles and producing and writing many others. He directed several Abbott and Costello comedies and many Ma and Pa Kettle films. Biography A Calif ...

. The film's producer was Ben Judell of Progressive Pictures, known for low-budget

exploitation film An exploitation film is a film that tries to succeed financially by exploiting current trends, niche genres, or lurid content. Exploitation films are generally low-quality "B movies", though some set trends, attract critical attention, become hi ...

s with provocative titles; other films released by Progressive the same year included '' Rebellious Daughters'' and ''Delinquent Parents''.

Plot

Helen Smith and Mazie Mason run a salon for wealthy women to keep their figures and bodies in shape. Helen is dating a doctor whose aunt is in high class society. Mazie is a more working class girl and she dates a reporter, Terry Kent. The film shows the women exercising, getting rub downs and lined up in steam baths. The women gossip and some women learn their husbands are cheating on them. Comedy is added when one customer brings in her dog and another woman has a pet monkey. Mme. Helene is dating Dr. Stallings but after a long day, she calls off the date to go home and rest. At home she finds flowers and the hot shot and aggressive Pat Fenton waiting. He tells her the doctor is all wrong for her and asks does she really love Stallings. Pat takes her out on the town but ends up in a fist fight with his attorney. Helen flees the night club but the event makes the society news. Helen keeps rejecting Pat but is not sure if she and the doctor are the right fit. Mrs. George Horton is a customer of the salon. Her husband has made advances toward Helen and one day Helen and George are in a car accident together. Helen assures Mrs. Horton that nothing is going on and that her husband loves her. She stays for a treatment only to hear the women gossip. She tries to commit suicide by drinking hair dye poison. Dr. Stallings saves her life and she reconciles with her husband. The doctor and Helen decide to split and Helen finds love with Pat.

Cast

Adrienne Ames Adrienne Ames (born Ruth Adrienne McClure; August 3, 1907 – May 31, 1947) was an American film actress. Early in her career she was known as Adrienne Truex. Early years Ames was born in Fort Worth, Texas, one of six children of Samuel Hugh M ...

as Helen "Mme. Helene" Smith * Craig Reynolds as Pat Fenton *

Esther Ralston Esther Ralston (born Esther Louise Worth, September 17, 1902 – January 14, 1994) was an iconic American silent film star. Her most prominent sound picture was '' To the Last Man'' in 1933. Early life and career Ralston was born Esther Loui ...

as Ruth De Milo *

George Meeker George Meeker (March 5, 1904 – August 19, 1984) was an American character film and Broadway actor. A graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Meeker made several films such as ''Crime, Inc.'' (1945) and ''A Thief in the Dark'' (1 ...

as Dr. Herbert Stallings * Pert Kelton as Mazie Mason * William Newell as Terry Kent * Dorothy Vaughan as Mrs. Horton * Edward Keane as George Horton *

Vivien Oakland Vivien Oakland (born Vivian Ruth Andersen; May 20, 1895 – August 1, 1958), was an American actress best known for her work in comedies in Hollywood in the 1920s and 1930s, most notably with the Hal Roach Studios. Oakland appeared in 157 films ...

as Mrs. Conway *

Ruth Gillette Ruth Gillette (August 16, 1906 – May 13, 1994) was an American actress. She appeared in numerous films, TV series and theatrical productions from the 1920s to the 1980s. Early life Gillette was born in Chicago in 1906, the daughter of Mi ...

as Mme. Renault *

Dot Farley Dorothea "Dot" Farley (February 6, 1881 – May 2, 1971) was an American film actress who appeared in 280 motion pictures between 1910 and 1950. She was also known as Dorothy Farley. Biography Born in Chicago, Illinois, Dorothea Farley was t ...

as Mrs. Willis * Bonita Weber as Mrs. Richards *

Blanche Payson Blanche Payson (born Mary Elizabeth Bush, September 20, 1881 – July 4, 1964) was an American film actress. Biography Payson was born as Mary Elizabeth Bush to Thomas and Sarah Bush. She first attracted public notice when she served as p ...

as Hilda *

Mary Field Mary Field (born Olivia Rockefeller; June 10, 1909 – June 12, 1996) was an American film actress who primarily appeared in supporting roles. Early life She was born in New York City. As a child, she never knew her biological parents; ...

as Bessie, an attendant * Louise Squire as Olga * Fay McKenzie as Anna *

Harry Depp Harry Depp (22 February 1883 – 31 March 1957) was an American film actor, silent film pioneer, comedian, agent and real estate investor. He was born 22 February 1883 in St. Louis, Missouri to William Depp and Laura Freund. Between 1916 and 1947 ...

as Higginbotham *

Robert Homans Robert Edward Homans (November 8, 1877 – July 28, 1947) was an American actor who entered films in 1923 after a lengthy stage career. Life and career Robert Homans was born November 8, 1877, in Malden, Massachusetts. Although he studied ...

as The Irish Policeman

References

External links

* * * 1938 films 1938 drama films American black-and-white films Films based on American novels Films directed by Charles Lamont American drama films 1930s English-language films 1930s American films {{1930s-drama-film-stub