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A Kiss of Importance
A comedy adapted by Arthur Hornblow, Jr., from the French play by André Picard and H.M. Harwood. Opened at the Fulton Theatre, New York City, December 1, 1930, and lasted 24 performances. Produced by Arch Selwyn in association with Erlanger Productions, Inc., staged and directed by Lionel Atwill.
Cast of characters
| Fred | Johnnie Brewer |
| Arthur Dupin | Ivan Simpson |
| Mlle. Thomas | Alice Burrage |
| Comte de Cerisay | Frank Henderson |
| Christian Saint Obin | Basil Rathbone |
| Gilbert Laurent Courcel | Montague Love |
| Isabelle de Corquefon | Ann Andrews |
| Octave de Corquefon | Frederick Kerr |
| Albertine | Marjorie Hollis |
| Gardener | George Wright, Sr. |
| Act I — Dupin's Office on the
Avenue Kleber, Paris Act II — Salon of de Corquefon's Château in the Country. Act III — Salon of de Corquefon's Château in the Country. |
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"Gilbert Courcel loves the wife of his political opponent, the aging
Octave de Corquefon. Isabelle, bored with her home life, agrees to marry Gilbert
if a divorce can be arranged. Christian Saint Obin, young and handsome, agrees
to serve them as a professional co-respondent, visit the de Corquefon estate,
make love to Isabelle, be caught by Octave and thus furnish evidence for the
divorce. Christian complicates maters somewhat by taking his time, after he
arrives at the estate. Forced finally into action by the impatient lovers he
does so good a job of love making that Isabelle changes her mind about the
divorce. She had rather cling to Octave if she can also live near Christian."
[from The Best Plays of 1930-31, ed. by Burns Mantle (Dodd, Mead and
Co., 1931), page 463.]
