To save his job, newsman Jeff Sherman offers to help his boss get out of a swingeing alimony settlement. But his devious plan to compromise Cornelia Porter, the judge on the case, while she ... Read allTo save his job, newsman Jeff Sherman offers to help his boss get out of a swingeing alimony settlement. But his devious plan to compromise Cornelia Porter, the judge on the case, while she is on holiday at Cape Cod soon proves to be - well - too devious!To save his job, newsman Jeff Sherman offers to help his boss get out of a swingeing alimony settlement. But his devious plan to compromise Cornelia Porter, the judge on the case, while she is on holiday at Cape Cod soon proves to be - well - too devious!
- Telephone Operator
- (uncredited)
- Blair's Aide
- (uncredited)
- Real Estate Agent
- (uncredited)
- Miner
- (uncredited)
- Justice of the Peace
- (uncredited)
- Second Arresting Detective
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writer
- Lionel Houser(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe $4,000 per month alimony would equate to over $71,000 per month in 2018.
- GoofsIn the courtroom scene, Jeff Sherman asks Judge Cornelia Porter about the night on Cape Cod when they were near Point St. Martin's Lighthouse.
- Quotes
Jeff Sherman: I want to get something to amuse a little boy on a train.
Snack Bar Counterman: Yes, indeed. Something for a little boy, eh?
Jeff Sherman: Yeah.
Snack Bar Counterman: What age?
Jeff Sherman: Oh, about so high.
[brings palm to just above his waist]
Snack Bar Counterman: Eight. Yes sir. Right here.
[motions to shelves of toys behind him]
Snack Bar Counterman: Everything to make him happy and ruin your trip. Take your choice, sir.
Jeff Sherman: Well, you've been here a long time, you suggest something.
Snack Bar Counterman: Chloroform. Either that or a good slap in the kisser.
- Crazy creditsBarbara Jo Allen is listed as "Barbara Jo Allen (Vera Vague)" in the opening credits. Vera Vague was the character name of the woman she played on the Bob Hope radio program, and she was often billed this way until she finally stopped using her real name and simply went by "Vera Vague," notably in her starring series of Columbia two-reelers.
- ConnectionsReferenced in We Must Have Music (1941)
- SoundtracksWonderful One
(1923) (uncredited)
Music by Paul Whiteman and Ferde Grofé Sr.
Adapted from a theme by Marshall Neilan
Lyrics by Dolly Morse
Played in a restaurant
Whistled by Walter Pidgeon
Played as background music often
In "Design for Scandal," Pidgeon plays wonderful comedy with a crisp, witty script. And, his debonair character and attitude fit perfectly into the picture. Rosalind Russell plays perfect comedy off of Pidgeon. Her Judge Porter is a hoot as she rolls her eyes or gives that knowing look of subdued humor at the silliness of some of the things the mature Jeff Sherman does and says. The rest of the cast, especially the principals, give very good performances. Edward Arnold shows why he was so highly regarded an actor in key supporting roles, here as J. M. Blair. Lee Bowman is the befuddled attorney friend of the judge, Walter Caldwell. Jean Rogers is very good as Jeff's former girlfriend, Dotty, whom he ropes into taking part in a scam. And Guy Kibbee is very good and very funny as Judge Graham.
This film has two very funny court scenes -- one in the beginning and one at the end. The latter is one of the funniest of all time. And the final scene is hilarious.
Here are some favorite lines from the film.
Judson M. Blair, "Well, you don't think I'm gonna let her get away with it, do ya?" Jeff Sherman, "Well, whadda ya gonna do, commit suicide?" Blair, "No, I'm not gonna commit suicide."
Dotty, "Why wouldn't she come?" Jeff Sherman, "Dotty, the first thing a smart man learns is never to worry why a woman changes her mind." Dotty, "An old Chinese proverb, huh?" Sherman, "Yeah." Dotty, "I don't think you're slipping." Sherman, "No?" Dotty, "No. I think you're numb from the shock of falling."
Walter Caldwell, "Forcible entry without permission is a crime. Between the hours of sunset and sunset it's a felony. You don't want to commit a new crime just to right an old one, do you?" Judge Cornelia Porter, "Yes, I do. I feel like breaking law as rule."
Judge Cornelia Porter, "I'll put him where he belongs - behind bars."
Judson M. Blair, "That's just exactly what this young lady is going to claim in our suit - alienation of your moth-eaten affections. Judge Porter stole them." Dotty, "Petty larceny."
Walter Caldwell, "I object. I object on the grounds that it's..." Judge Graham, "Immaterial, incompetent and irrelevant." Caldwell, "Right." Judge Graham, "I'm gonna have the record show, counsel, that you object to every question from here on. It can be considered as if you did make the objections." He nods to Jeff, "Go ahead." And looks at Caldwell, "We'll have no more interruptions. Sit down!"
Jeff Sherman, "Then why, on the night of July the eleventh this year, at the hour of 12:30, did you say to me in the establishment known as Frankie's Cape Cod Cellar Deluxe, that you love me?"
- SimonJack
- Jun 29, 2019
Details
- Runtime1 hour 25 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1