Feature1935·77m·6.4

The Gay Deception

ComedyRomance

A wide-eyed working girl wins a $5,000 sweepstakes and plunges into the lush life of New York City, where she meets a bellboy who is more than he seems.

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Cast

Francis Lederer

Sandro

Frances Dee

Mirabel

Benita Hume

Miss Channing

Alan Mowbray

Lord Clewe

Lennox Pawle

Consul-General

Adele St. Mauer

Lucille

Akim Tamiroff

Spellek

Luis Alberni

Ernest

Lionel Stander

Gettel

Ferdinand Gottschalk

Mr. Squires

Richard Carle

Mr. Spitzer

Lenita Lane

Peg DeForrest

Barbara Fritchie

Joan Dennison

Paul Hurst

Bell Captain

Robert Greig

Adolph

Iris Adrian

Gettel's Wife (uncredited)

Mary Aiken

Linen Maid (uncredited)

Maidena Armstrong

Fat Woman (uncredited)

Jane Barnes

Hazel (uncredited)

Lynn Bari

Milk Fund Ball Attendee (uncredited)

Details

Status
Released
Original language
English
Languages
English, Italian
Budget
Revenue
Age rating
Quality
4K UHD · HDR10 · Dolby Vision
Production
Fox Film Corporation

Crew

Director

William Wyler

Writers

Stephen Morehouse Avery, Don Hartman

Robert L. Simpson

Editor

William Lambert

Costume Design

Joseph A. Valentine

Director of Photography

Gallery

Reviews

CinemaSerf

6/28/2025

7.0

When office worker “Mirabel” (Frances Dee) scoops $5,000 in the state lottery, she decides to ignore the bank manager’s advice to invest and heads to New York for a luxury stay. She is suitably fêted by the hotel staff, but soon finds her trip to this metropolis where she knows nobody a bit lonely. The only friend she seems to make is the elevator boy (Francis Lederer). He notices that she’s not having the best time and determines to make her feel better. Thing is, he has a bit of a secret to keep and though that could ultimately help their budding romance, he needs to keep it for now and that’s where their problems start. It’s all a little predictable, sure, but there is quite an engaging effort from Lederer (and he resists any temptation to burst into song) and there are a few swipes at the posh, pompous and supercilious amongst the so-called glittering society types who couldn’t spot a prince from a porcupine. “The customer is always right!”? Who ever came up with that stupid policy?