Devotion is a 1931 American pre-Code romantic drama film starring Ann Harding and Leslie Howard based on the 1930 Pamela Wynne novel A Little Flat in the Temple.

Its plot involves a woman who disguises herself and gains employment in the home of the man she loves.

Shirley Mortimer is one of three adult daughters of a wealthy Bloomsbury family, who view her as plain and boring and treat her as little more than a servant.

With the help of her friend, Marjory, Shirley uses a dark wig and old fashioned clothing to disguise herself as Mrs. Halifax, a middle-aged Cockney widow with four children.

Mrs. Halifax passes muster with Mrs. Coggins, the housekeeper who rules the roost (and her husband and 8 children) at David's Temple flat.

[2] He knows the type too well from his own wife, Harrington is acquitted, and upon meeting Mrs. Halifax, notices a blonde curl peeking out from under her wig.

Later, David smiles as he looks at the sketch and eagerly accepts a dinner invitation from Shirley's father, at the Plaza.

Shirley rushes home without taking time to change, throwing Mrs. Halifax's hat and cloak over her evening dress.

[5] Writing for the October 3, 1931 edition of The New York Times, Mordaunt Hall calls the film “quite a pleasing entertainment,” although he finds the title of the book, A Little Flat in the Temple, ” far more suitable”.

Howard rivals Miss Harding in acting, the portrayals of both being gratifyingly restrained and agreeably sympathetic.” He gives supporting players high but somewhat redundant praise, citing both Dudley Digges and young Douglas Scott for their “capital” performances.

Although the film does not reveal the truth about the Harrington case, Hall assumes that he did kill his wife, and baulks at the way that is handled.