The Man in Possession 1931

Raymond Dabney returns to a mixed reaction from his upper-middle-class family in London after serving a sentence at HM Prison Wormwood Scrubs for stealing a motorcar. His Mr. Dabney and his Claude Dabney are uneasy: his father is particularly disappointed in him, having sent him to Cambridge, and Claude worries about bringing scandal on the family, especially since he is engaged to a wealthy widow. They offer Raymond £500 to leave the country and never return. He declines and departs that same day.

He takes a job as a sheriff’s officer, aiding a bailiff to serve a writ on Crystal Wetherby, a woman in serious debt, taking possession of her property. The bailiff instructs him to remain in Crystal’s mansion to keep an eye on the seized property until the next day, but also to provide any reasonable assistance to the woman. Crystal and her sole remaining servant, Clara, have him take the place of the departed butler.

Crystal mentions her fiancé, none other than Claude Dabney. Claude is bringing his parents to dinner that night to meet her. The situation is awkward for all the Dabneys. Meanwhile, Crystal’s admirer, the wealthy and generous (if disreputable) Sir Charles Cartwright, shows up. Crystal has carefully kept the news of her engagement from him. She manages to get the jealous man to leave without him meeting her dinner guests. Before Claude leaves, he informs Crystal that her butler has a crooked past (without revealing they are brothers), but she refuses to discharge him (without revealing he is actually in possession of the premises). To complicate matters even further, that night Raymond Dabney seduces Crystal.

The next morning, the breakfast is prepared for Crystal in bed, though Clara insists on delivering it herself. When Crystal lifts the cover, the bacon is arranged to spell the word “LOVE.” Clara picks up Crystal’s undergarments scattered around the room, noting that her chemise is torn. Crystal does not correct Clara’s incredulous assumption that it was Claude who ripped it.

The afternoon unfolds as Raymond proceeds to undermine Crystal’s other relationships. When Sir Charles Cartwright returns, he learns of Crystal’s engagement, prompting him to tear up a £1000 check he was about to give her. Claude Dabney, anxious to preserve the engagement, offers his brother £1000 to leave England forever; Raymond insists on being paid an additional £200 for immediate expenses. Then Raymond shows Claude the writ, proving Crystal is not the wealthy woman she pretends to be. Panic-stricken, Claude urges Raymond to reveal to Crystal that they are brothers so the engagement can be broken off without a suit for breach of promise, and he hastily departs. Sir Charles Cartwright returns, having discovered that his love for Crystal is still strong, but she declines his proposal of marriage.

When the bailiff arrives, Raymond pays off the outstanding debt, collects his wages, and informs Crystal that they can be married on the ship taking them to a fresh start in a new country. She reminds him of her past, but he remains undeterred. The two share a quiet, hopeful embrace as they set out toward a hopeful future together.