The Law And The Lady (1951)

Set at the turn of the century, a maid (Greer Garson) joins forces with a con man (Michael Wilding) and they pass her off as a "Lady" of the British aristocracy as they travel the world from Monte Carlo to Shanghai swindling people. But when they arrive in San Francisco, she finds herself attracted to a Spaniard (Fernando Lamas) of royal blood and begins to waiver in her choice of a life of crime. Based on the play THE LAST OF MRS. CHEYNEY  by Frederick Lonsdale and directed by Edwin H. Knopf. Lonsdale's play had been filmed twice previously. In 1929 with Norma Shearer and in 1937 with Joan Crawford. I've not seen either of those versions. If I had perhaps I wouldn't have found this version so winning. I found this comedic romp quite charming and well acted and it went by quickly. One doesn't think of Garson as a comedic actress but she's delightful and even the normally dull Michael Wilding rises to the occasion and he's quite likable here. The movie is nothing more than a lightweight piece of celluloid but I found it a pleasant diversion. With the scene stealing Marjorie Main (playing a society matron instead of her usual domestic), Natalie Schafer, Margalo Gillmore and Rhys Williams.