Vintage original 7.5 x 9.5 in. British double-weight matte photograph from the 1930's early sound drama, MICHAEL AND MARY, released in 1931 by Gainsborough Pictures and directed by Victor Saville. Based on a play of the same name by A. A. Milne, a young bride (Edna Best) is deserted by her husband (D. A. Clarke-Smith) but finds happiness with another man (Herbert Marshall). They contract a bigamous marriage for the sake of their child (Frank Lawton). The first husband turns up and starts black-mailing them. During a quarrel with the second husband, he dies. After some complications, their son learns the truth, but stands by them. The cast includes Elizabeth Allan, Edna Best, Frank Lawton, and Herbert Marshall.

This was the first of the Edna Best and Herbert Marshall co-starring talkies. The image depicts a close shot of Mary Rowe (Edna Best) wearing a black jacket and hat over a white ruffled blouse. It is in very fine- condition with a light 1.5 in. vertical crease on the top right corner.

 

The play was performed on Friday, 13 December 1929 at the Charles Hopkins Theatre, New York and featured Henry Hull, Edith Barrett and Harry Beresford. The film was voted the third best British movie of 1932. Michael and Mary was presented on Hollywood Sound Stage 20 March 1952. The 30-minute adaptation starred Deborah Kerr and Herbert Marshall.