Rent I Lived With You (1933)

Social Comedy - I Lived With You review by Steve

Culture clash sitcom which is a nice memento of the star appeal of Ivor Novello in early British cinema. He plays an exiled Russian prince of no fixed address who moves into the home of a conventional English middle class family and changes their lives. It was adapted from Novello's own stage play, and opened up quite effectively.

The main strength of the film is the humour. It mainly deals with classic motifs of social comedy, like social climbing and misunderstanding. But it's the ensemble work of the cast that sparks. Remarkable to see a barely recognisable, and very young Ida Lupino as a shopgirl shacked up with her boss...

Novello stands out as the languid, decadent aristocrat who introduces the family to unfamiliar freedoms, mostly sexual, as he transforms their suburban home with his balalaika, exotic cigarettes and Russian gimcracks. And vodka. He is charming, handsome and elegant under the makeup. And just a little camp.

His comic timing is exceptional. It's easy to see why he was such a big star. Some of the acting in smaller roles is theatrical, but still, very funny and the cast squeeze all the laughs out of a pretty good script. The main negative is that when they pull the message together at the fade out, it seems to be- know your place! But it's fun getting there.