Tonight Or Never (1931)

A rising Hungarian opera singer (Gloria Swanson) can't seem to reach her potential ..... until she meets a young man (Melvyn Douglas in his screen debut) living with an older woman (Alison Skipworth). But she suspects he's a gigolo and he does nothing to discourage her suspicions. Based on the play by Lily Hatvany and directed by Mervyn LeRoy (QUO VADIS). This pre-code romantic comedy begins promisingly and for the first forty minutes, I found it rather charming. But after that it loses its way and becomes talky and tedious. Being a pre-code film, it's rather audacious and it's clear that Swanson and Douglas (recreating his stage role) had pre marital sex after which Swanson gives him her emeralds as "payment" for his services. One of the few talkies Swanson made which allowed her to show off her talent for comedy so it's a pity it isn't better. Swanson's wardrobe is designed by Coco Chanel. With Boris Karloff, Warburton Gamble and Robert Greig.