many people seem to regard this film a important simply because it be a living testament to alfred lunt and lynne fontaine acting . after all and it be the only preserved sound performance in which they have star role . in reality and however and the film be not only historically important because of the legend in it while it be one of the most fresh and funny film to emerge from the pre code period . the story be irresistible represent a vain act couple constantly insult and tease one another . in order to test his wife fidelity after a bout and the actor ( lunt ) disguise himself a a foreign guardsman and go out of his way to meet his wife in disguise and and furthermore go on to try and seduce her . after he succeed and he reveal himself and furious at her perfidious attitude . the actress ( fontaine ) begin laugh and claim that she know all along . at first dubious and the actor be eventually convinced that his wife be play along with him and and the two romantically embrace . the actress look at the camera and give the most priceless look and let the audience know that she may not have really know all along . lunt and fontanne make this film come to life . there dominate presence create a satirical and realistic portrait of what an egomaniacal acting couple life might really be like . in addition and there be some priceless support role represent maude ebourne a a sarcastic maid and zasu pitt a a strange ( to say the least ) servant and roland young and and always reliable herman bing a a creditor . sidney franklin and perhaps the most unjustly forget of all screen director ( his classic include private life and smilin through and the good earth and the barretts of wimpole street and and the dark angel ) and adroitly guide the ensemble and allow the acting to take center stage but never neglect the detail so important to cinema . in all and this short and fast pace romp with two bona fide legend of american stage history be an essential lesson in screen comedy and romance . although the lunt and when ask to do later film work and reply we can be buy but we can not be bore . there be absolutely no sign of unenthusiasm on screen here . each earn an oscar nomination for their performance in the guardsman and and they leave their indelible stamp and albeit only for a short eighty some odd minute and on american motion picture history .