Society Fever (DVD)

Portia Prouty has been the head of her family ever since the death of her millionaire father. But playing mother to her eccentric siblings proves to be just too much work, and their mansion home quickly becomes a shambles. Providence arrives when humble businessman Graham Smith wants to buy the property. Graham's offer inadvertently attracts the interest of high society, and they descend on the dilapidated Prouty mansion, looking to outbid him. Portia will have to make the right decision for both her and her family, which is made more difficult when she realizes she has fallen in love with Graham.

Initially released under the title "Love Fever," Society Fever is directed by the prolific Frank R. Strayer. Specializing in 'B' features, Strayer directed over 80 films, including 12 entries in the popular 'Blondie' series starring Penny Singleton. He also showed a deft touch for horror in films like The Monster Walks (1932) and The Vampire Bat (1933). Star Lois Wilson also had a long career; her breakthrough role came in the silent western The Covered Wagon (1923). Successfully making the transition to sound features, she played Shirley Temple's mother in one of her most popular films, Bright Eyes (1934). In the 1950's she moved to television, taking character parts on soap operas like The Guiding Light and The Secret Storm. Hedda Hopper, then a struggling actress, appears as socialite Mrs. Vandergriff. Three years after the release of Society Fever, she would abandon her acting career to write the gossip column 'Hedda Hopper's Hollywood' for the Los Angeles Times, finding much more success writing about stars than being one. Starring Lois Wilson, Lloyd Hughes, Hedda Hopper, Guinn Williams, Grant Withers and Lois January. Directed by Frank R. Strayer.

• comedy