Second Best Bed

Second Best Bed is a 1938 British comedy film directed by Tom Walls and starring Walls, Jane Baxter and Veronica Rose.^[1][2] The screenplay was by Ben Travers, based on an earlier story of his, and concerns a newly married couple who soon run into domestic difficulties when the wife refuses to obey her husband's every order.^[3]

Second Best Bed
Directed by	Tom Walls
Written by	Ben Travers
Produced by	Max Schach
Starring	Tom Walls Jane Baxter Veronica Rose
Cinematography	Jack E. Cox
Edited by	Lynn Harrison
Music by	Van Phillips
Production company	Capitol Film Corporation
Distributed by	General Film Distributors
Release date	January 1938 (1938-01)
Running time	74 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

Cast

• Tom Walls as Victor Garnett
• Jane Baxter as Patricia Lynton
• Veronica Rose as Jenny Murdoch
• Carl Jaffe as Georges Dubonnet
• Greta Gynt as Yvonne
• Edward Lexy as Murdoch
• Tyrell Davis as Whittaker
• Mae Bacon as Mrs Whittaker
• Ethel Coleridge as Mrs Knuckle
• Davy Burnaby as Lord Kingston
• Martita Hunt as Mrs Mather
• Gordon James as Judge
• Charlotte Leigh as Miss Boolbread
• Denier Warren as umpire
• Peter Bull as tennis match spectator

Production

It was an independent production made at Shepperton Studios with sets were designed by the art director Walter Murton. Walls and Travers had worked together on the Aldwych farces.

Reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Written by Ben Travers in characteristic vein the story is developed with daring and risqué dialogue and a full quota of double entendres. 'The situations are equally piquant, and leave little to the imagination. It must be admitted that Tom Walls as director shows skill and agility in skating over the thinnest possible ice, while as star he gets across outrageous remarks with a disarming urbanity and adroitness. He is, undoubtedly, in his element, and gives a finished and effective performance. Both Jane Baxter and Veronica Rose support him ably, and small part players are thoroughly competent."^[4]

Kine Weekly wrote: "Breezy up-to-date marital comedy featuring Tom Walls in a made-to-measure role. The humour, which is from the pen of Ben Travers, is not exactly kindergarten, but in spite of occasional ribaldry the fun seldom fails to strike a popular note. The star contributes a characteristic performance in the lead, the feminine co-stars contrast effectively, and the support is well up to standard."^[5]

Leslie Halliwell wrote "Cheerful star comedy with a touch of sophistication."^[6]