What would otherwise be a very routine Sam Katzman opus is considerably enlivened by a screenplay by the "B" picture prolific Robert E. Kent/"James B. Gordon". Well, I guess all of us have at least one good story in our heads – or maybe it was actually mainly the work of story-writer Sol Shor whose movie credits are far more impressive, ranging from Dick Tracy Returns, Zorro's Fighting Legion, Adventures of Captain Marvel, and Ghost of Zorro to this effort which happens to be his last. Anyway, the screenplay provides some neatly pointed comic opportunities for players like George Keymas, Joseph Mell, Gregory Gaye and Edward Clark, so it ends up as a moderately entertaining Saturday matinée item with attractive Technicolor photography (a split credit to Ray Cory on exteriors and Henry Freulich for the studio footage). The movie has enough action to satisfy the kiddies, but maybe a bit too much romance for the youngsters who are also not likely to appreciate that the screenwriters are also aiming at a tongue-in-cheek approach, so it doesn't really matter that Patric Knowles is a bit old for the hero and Denise Darcel a bit too plump for a Hollywood heroine. I'll also agree that the sets look a little too glossily pasteboard, but it must be admitted that the various twists and turns of the plot do make for a suspenseful climax. The comic business with the two spies also offers fair entertainment, despite the fact that Seymour Friedman's direction, whilst moderately capable, is also serenely dull.
Review of Flame of Calcutta
