How to Undress in Front of Your Husband

How to Undress in Front of Your Husband
How to Undress in Front of Your Husband
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Dwain Esper
Screenplay by	Hildagarde Stadie
Starring	Elaine Barrie; Trixie Friganza; Hal Richardson;
Narrated by	Albert Van Antwerp
Cinematography	Roland Price
Music by	Herb Eicke
Release date	1937;
Running time	14 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

How to Undress in Front of Your Husband is a 1937 short comedic film directed by Dwain Esper.^[1]

Synopsis

In an opening narrative, the filmmaker explains that many of man's pleasures (such as beer and cigarettes) have been made safer and more enjoyable through technology, but that no such improvement has been made for women. The film thus strives to teach women how to please their husbands in the bedroom.

The film is shot through the eyes of a peeping Tom paparazzo, who leeringly takes lurid shots of celebrities in the privacy of their own homes. Two examples of his work are given: Elaine Barrymore, who serves as the example of how to undress properly, and Trixie Friganza, vaudeville and opera star in one of her later starring roles, as the example of how not to undress, as each comes home from a party. Elaine demonstrates natural seduction skills and grace in her slow, methodical undress, which the narrator surmises is how she landed her husband John, the "world's greatest lover." Trixie, on the other hand, is shown as irritated and slovenly as she tersely yanks off her garments and throws them on the ground.

At the end of the film, as the paparazzo develops his pictures, his wife angrily calls her husband to dinner.

Cast

Elaine Barrie as herself
Trixie Friganza as herself
Hal Richardson as Peeping Tom

Production

The film humorously censors itself by blocking a revealing scene in which the narrator deadpans: "and that man's here again." However, the release was not without controversy. A copyright infringement suit was filed against Elaine Barrie and Dwain Esper, claiming that E.K. Nadel had exclusive rights to the title.^[2] John Barrymore and his family were angered by Barrie's appearance in the film and the portrayal of their marriage.^[3] Although the Barrymores reconciled,^[4] they divorced permanently in 1940.

In other media

Canadian experimental filmmaker Gerda Cammaer spoofed this film with additional narration by Lindsay Fitzgerald in her 2019 film Undressing Sexism.^[5]