Friends and Lovers (1931)

A story of how friendship can overcome love. Geoff Roberts (Adolphe Menjou) is dating a married woman, Alva Sangrito (Lili Damita). One day Alva asks Geoff to come in to meet her husband, Victor (Erich Von Stroheim). This is when Alva and Victor set their evil plan into motion. They blackmail Geoff into giving them 5000 pounds to keep their secret. Since he is a military man he makes the payment and goes on his tour to India. There he is joined by one of his dearest friends, Ned Nichols (Lawrence Olivier). As they are catching up it comes out that they are both in love. When Geoff goes to Ned's tent he sees a picture of the woman he is in love with - none other than Alva. After a fight they decide that this gold digger is not worth breaking their friendship up over. They are fine until they return to London. They are invited to a dinner party where the newly widowed Alva is also a guest. Now they are both unsure of what they are feeling and how to deal with Alva again.

This was a cute little movie. The acting is a bit over the top but that was not uncommon for this era. However, you can see the glimpses of brilliance that was to come from Sir Lawrence. Worth checking out when it comes on TCM again.