Girls Will Be Boys (1934)

A spirited 1934 British comedy where a young heiress dons a disguise to outsmart her woman-hating duke grandfather.

Girls Will Be Boys - Movie Information

  • Release Year: 1934
  • Directed by: Marcel Varnel
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Romance, Comedy
  • Runtime: 1h 7m
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • Release Date (Theatrical): October 29, 1934 (United Kingdom)
  • Production Companies: British International Pictures
  • Production Countries: United Kingdom

Girls Will Be Boys - Plot

The Duke of Bridgewater sends for the heir he's never seen. His heir is Patricia, and the Duke is a woman-hater, so Patricia disguises herself as a boy.

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Girls Will Be Boys - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Marcel Varnel

Main Cast

  • Dolly Haas
  • Cyril Maude
  • Esmond Knight
  • Irene Vanbrugh
  • Edward Chapman
  • Ronald Ward
  • Charles Paton
  • Robert Rietti
  • H.F. Maltby
  • Alfred Wellesley

Writers

  • Curt Siodmak
  • Roger Burford
  • Clifford Grey

Girls Will Be Boys - FAQs

What is Girls Will Be Boys about?

Girls Will Be Boys is a 1934 British comedy about Patricia, a young heiress summoned by the Duke of Bridgewater — a grandfather she has never met. Because the Duke despises women, Patricia boldly disguises herself as a boy to win his favor and claim her inheritance, leading to a series of delightful comic complications.

Who are the main actors in Girls Will Be Boys?

Dolly Haas leads the cast as the spirited Patricia, with Cyril Maude playing the cantankerous Duke of Bridgewater. Esmond Knight appears as Geoffrey Dawson, and Irene Vanbrugh portrays the Princess of Ehrenstein. Edward Chapman, Ronald Ward, and Charles Paton round out the supporting ensemble.

Who directed Girls Will Be Boys?

Girls Will Be Boys was directed by Marcel Varnel, a French-born filmmaker who became well known in British cinema during the 1930s and 1940s. He had a particular flair for light comedy and farce, making him a natural fit for this playful cross-dressing romp.

When was Girls Will Be Boys released?

Girls Will Be Boys was released on October 29, 1934, in the United Kingdom. Produced by British International Pictures, it was part of a lively era of British studio comedies that entertained Depression-era audiences with wit, charm, and plenty of screwball energy.

Is Girls Will Be Boys based on a true story?

No, Girls Will Be Boys is not based on a true story. It is an original comedy with a screenplay by Curt Siodmak, Roger Burford, and Clifford Grey. The film draws on the long theatrical tradition of cross-dressing disguise plots, a beloved comic device stretching back to Shakespeare and beyond.

What genre is Girls Will Be Boys?

Girls Will Be Boys is a Romance and Comedy — a charming blend of screwball humor and light romantic intrigue. The film leans heavily into its farcical premise, using mistaken identity and gender disguise to generate laughs while weaving in a warm-hearted romantic thread throughout.

What are similar movies to Girls Will Be Boys?

If you enjoy Girls Will Be Boys, you might love Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949), Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), Stage Beauty (2004), or Kate & Leopold (2001). For more recent romantic comedies with a similar playful spirit, Don't Blame Karma! (2022) and The Royal Treatment (2022) are worth a watch.

How long is Girls Will Be Boys?

Girls Will Be Boys runs for 67 minutes — a brisk, perfectly paced runtime that keeps the comic energy high from start to finish. At just over an hour, it is a wonderfully compact piece of 1930s British entertainment that never overstays its welcome.

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