Riptide is a 1934 American pre-Code romantic drama film starring Norma Shearer, Robert Montgomery and Herbert Marshall, written and directed by Edmund Goulding, and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

[2][3] In a hotel room at the Ritz, Lord Rexford (Herbert Marshall) struggles with a bizarre insect man costume provided by his hostess for a ball on Long Island.

He goes to pick up another guest, Mary (Norma Shearer), who is equally unhappy with her outfit, which conceals very little except her face.

Under the influence of several bottles of champagne, his love for Mary explodes into obsession; ardently pursuing her, he falls from a balcony at her hotel and nearly dies.

The mad pursuit, the suggestion of attempted suicide, and the chaste kiss she gives him in his hospital room (caught by a pressman) create an international scandal.

Rexford remains cool, avoiding Mary, even waiting until she has left the nursery before entering to say goodnight to their young daughter.

Seeking to escape the tension and loneliness at home, Mary accepts an invitation from her sister, Sylvia, to a nightspot.

Mary plans to return to New York, refusing any settlement and sadly renouncing custody of her daughter.

Their daughter bursts into the room and, to a phrase from the Bridal Chorus, Mary sweeps her up in her arms, landing on the sofa with the child in her lap.