In a fit of rage Kay Kerrigan ( Joan Bennett ) blows away her surly boyfriend and takes it on the lam to the Far East. The police commissioner sends a numbers rube, Ben Blodgett (Ralph Bellamy ) and a Lothario Sam Wye, (Fredric March) to retrieve her but she remains a step ahead puddle jumping to Singapore, New Zealand and Ceylon. While Blodget keeps his nose to the ground Wye chases women, one of which turns out to be Kerrigan. Unaware it is her at first he falls in love with Kay. When his secretary (Ann Sothern) arrives on the scene and tells him the reward for her capture and return is a hundred Gs Sam is faced with a tough choice.
There is little to no spark in Trade Winds. After a rousing opening the film's rhythm slows and the principles with the exception of a feisty performance from Sothern remain uninspired. Even with Dorothy Parker writing her lines Bennett shows little edge and desperation of someone on the run. March is just as boring, his scenes with Bennet never getting above tepid. Ralph Bellamy is an absolute buffoon playing a provincial prude with an over the top turn that would get him yanked off the stage of community theater.
What is most galling about Trade Winds though is some of the worst back projection in film history. Poorly matched and with a totally different texture, director Tay Garnet sloppily slaps it on with contemptuous abandon. Trade Winds blows.
There is little to no spark in Trade Winds. After a rousing opening the film's rhythm slows and the principles with the exception of a feisty performance from Sothern remain uninspired. Even with Dorothy Parker writing her lines Bennett shows little edge and desperation of someone on the run. March is just as boring, his scenes with Bennet never getting above tepid. Ralph Bellamy is an absolute buffoon playing a provincial prude with an over the top turn that would get him yanked off the stage of community theater.
What is most galling about Trade Winds though is some of the worst back projection in film history. Poorly matched and with a totally different texture, director Tay Garnet sloppily slaps it on with contemptuous abandon. Trade Winds blows.