Behind Office Doors (1931) | Directed by Melville W. Brown - Full Movie

Mary Linden is the secretary who is the unheralded power behind successful executive James Duneen. He takes her for granted until rival Wales tries to take her away from him.

Mary Linden (Mary Astor) is a receptionist at a paper milling company, who is secretly in love with one of the salesmen, James Duneen (Robert Ames). Her extensive knowledge of the paper industry, the mill and its clients allows her to have input in company operations far outweighing her job title. As the president of the company, Ritter (Charles Sellon), approaches retirement, Mary uses her skill in company politics to enable James to make some important sales coups, after which she begins a fifth-column attempt to get him named as the next president. James, for his part, is grateful to her for her help, but is completely oblivious to her romantic interest in him, preferring more the party girl type.

When Ritter does retire, James wins the position, and Mary is promoted to be his personal secretary. Still unaware of her feelings, he hires his latest party girl, Daisy (Edna Murphy), to work in the office, and report to Mary. Mary is upset by this turn of events, but remains faithful to James, assisting him with running the company. In fact, it is her knowledge and acumen which makes the company successful. Mary even spurns the advances of several men, including the wealthy Ronnie Wales (Ricardo Cortez), who, although married, is estranged from his wife and wishes to pursue an affair with Mary.

Directed by: Melville W. Brown
Written by: Carey Wilson (screenplay) J. Walter Ruben (adaptation and dialogue)
Based on Private Secretary 1929 novel by Alan Schultz
Produced by: William LeBaron
Henry Hobart (associate)
Starring: Mary Astor, Robert Ames, Ricardo Cortez
Cinematography: J. Roy Hunt
Edited by: Archie Marshek, Rose Loewinger
Music by: Max Steiner
Distributed by: RKO Radio Pictures
Release date: July 5, 1931 (US)
Running time: 82 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English