Public Domain Movies

The Man and the Moment is a 1929 American sound part-talkie romantic comedy film directed by George Fitzmaurice and starring Billie Dove. In addition to sequences with audible dialogue or talking sequences, the film features a synchronized musical score and sound effects along with English intertitles. The soundtrack was recorded using the Vitaphone sound-on-disc system.

When Joan (Billie Dove) crash-lands her plane in the middle of Michel Towne's (Rod La Rocque) weekend yachting party, she finds herself rescued by the charming host. Her sudden arrival draws the ire of Viola Hatfield (Gwen Lee), Michel's possessive former lover, whose pending divorce has kept her from securing him for herself.

Back home, Joan receives a cold welcome from her stern guardian (Charles Sellon), who insists she pack up and return to the isolation of the Nebraska ranch where she has been largely hidden away from society. Learning that his accidental role in her troubles may send her back to exile, Michel visits Joan to comfort her.

Meanwhile, Viola sneaks into Michel's home through a private entrance and pressures him to promise marriage as soon as her divorce is finalized. Michel, realizing that marriage is Joan's only route to independence from her guardian, proposes a “convenient” marriage between himself and Joan—one in name only, followed by immediate separation. After hesitation, Joan agrees, on the condition that the marriage remains secret.

They marry aboard Michel's yacht, and he convinces her to stay for a private wedding supper. But Michel, now deeply in love with Joan, breaks his promise and forces his conjugal rights upon her.

Joan escapes at dawn by slipping through a porthole and swimming ashore. There, by chance, she encounters Skippy (Robert Schable), Viola's ne’er-do-well brother. Joan tells her guardian the truth, but he still refuses to forgive her. With nowhere else to turn, she ends up staying at Viola's home—with Skippy.

Michel repeatedly tries to make amends, but Joan is unreceptive. To cover her heartbreak, she becomes a notorious socialite, partying constantly with Skippy. At one particularly scandalous gathering, Michel finally loses patience and forcibly carries Joan off to his home.

There, he sincerely pleads for forgiveness and presents her with her wedding gown, which he had saved. Joan, touched by his remorse, agrees to stay and wear the dress again.

Just as happiness seems within reach, Viola barges in—once again using the secret entrance—to announce that her divorce is now final. Joan, heartbroken by the intrusion, leaves.

She prepares to fly away alone, but Michel arrives just in time to board the plane. In a dramatic night flight over the ocean, the plane crashes. Believing they are about to die, Joan confesses her love for Michel and finally forgives him.

At dawn, Michel's yacht appears on the horizon to rescue them—Viola is aboard with her decree of divorce in hand, still intent on claiming Michel. “There’s nothing to prevent your being a witness,” Viola sneers at Joan.

“Nothing—except that I’m married to Michel myself,” Joan replies.

Cast
Billie Dove as Joan
Rod La Rocque as Michel
Gwen Lee as Viola
Robert Schable as Skippy
Charles Sellon as Joan's Guardian
George Bunny as Butler