Wide Open | 1930 | Romantic Comedy

Title: Wide Open | 1930 | Romantic Comedy Director: Archie Mayo Studio: Warner Bros. Starring: Edward Everett Horton, Patsy Ruth Miller, Louise Fazenda, Louise Beavers, T. Roy Barnes, Vera Lewis Based on: Novel *The Narrow Street* by Edwin Bateman Morris Release Date: February 1 1930 Runtime: 67 minutes Format: Black and white with sound Country: United States Language: English Genres: Romantic Comedy --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction to Simon Haldane’s meek office life 00:10:00 Agatha’s advances and workplace chaos 00:20:00 Doris appears and hides in Simon’s home 00:30:00 Misunderstandings and forced hospitality 00:40:00 Office gossip and promotion opportunity 00:50:00 Career success and romantic resolution --- Summary: Wide Open is a 1930 American pre-Code romantic comedy in which timid office clerk Simon Haldane’s orderly routine is upended when a mysterious young woman, Doris, literally falls into his home and pretends to be ill to stay. A series of misunderstandings involving coworkers, marital rumors, and social blunders ensue, forcing Simon to confront his shyness and grow in confidence. As the office promotes him and romantic entanglements resolve, Simon’s transformation culminates in both career and personal fulfillment. The film blends lighthearted farce and workplace comedy with early sound era humor, centering on Simon’s awkward encounters and gradual self-assertion amid pre-Code comedic situations. --- Background: Directed by Archie Mayo and released by Warner Bros., Wide Open was adapted from Edwin Bateman Morris’s 1924 novel *The Narrow Street* and follows a narrative previously filmed as a silent feature by the same studio. It represents one of the early talkie comedies that allowed Edward Everett Horton to star in a rare leading role, supported by Patsy Ruth Miller and a cast of comedic character actors. --- Trivia: Wide Open was based on the 1924 novel *The Narrow Street* by Edwin Bateman Morris and remade from the studio’s earlier silent adaptation. Edward Everett Horton was typically a character actor but assumed the romantic lead in this pre-Code comedy. The film features early sound dialogue and occasional musical moments characteristic of Warner Bros.’ Vitaphone era. Louise Beavers appears as Simon’s insightful maid Easter, adding comic relief. The film survives in complete form and is preserved in archival collections. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: February 1 1930 Original Studio / Distributor: Warner Bros. Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Not applicable --- Hashtags: #WideOpen1930 #EdwardEverettHorton #PatsyRuthMiller #PreCodeComedy #WarnerBros #ClassicCinema #PublicDomain