Design for Living (film)

Design for Living
Design for Living
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Ernst Lubitsch
Screenplay by	Ben Hecht
Based on	Design for Living; by Noël Coward
Produced by	Ernst Lubitsch
Starring	Fredric March; Gary Cooper; Miriam Hopkins;
Cinematography	Victor Milner
Edited by	Frances Marsh
Production; company	Paramount Pictures
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date	December 29, 1933 (United States);
Running time	91 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Design for Living is a 1933 American pre-Code romantic comedy film directed by Ernst Lubitsch from a screenplay by Ben Hecht, based on the 1932 play of the same name by Noël Coward. Starring Fredric March, Gary Cooper, and Miriam Hopkins, the film is about a woman who cannot decide between two men who love her, and the trio agree to try living together in a platonic friendly relationship.

Criticism was mixed, with some critics praising the film, but many were ambivalent about its great departure from Coward's play. Coward said, "I'm told that there are three of my original lines left in the film—such original ones as 'Pass the mustard'."^[1] The film was a box office success,^[2] ranking as one of the top ten highest-grossing films of 1933. All three of the lead actors—March, Cooper, and Hopkins—received attention from this film as they were all at the peak of their careers.

^ Richards, Dick. The Wit of Noël Coward. Sphere Books, 1970, p. 86.
^ DOUGLAS W. CHURCHILL (December 30, 1934). "THE YEAR IN HOLLYWOOD: 1984 May Be Remembered as the Beginning of the Sweetness-and-Light Era". New York Times. p. X5.

[1] Richards, Dick. The Wit of Noël Coward. Sphere Books, 1970, p. 86.

[2] DOUGLAS W. CHURCHILL (December 30, 1934). "THE YEAR IN HOLLYWOOD: 1984 May Be Remembered as the Beginning of the Sweetness-and-Light Era". New York Times. p. X5.

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