Helen Twelvetrees is stunningly gorgeous, like an antique cameo in lace in this well-produced potboiler about a prostitute who goes to work for Austrian counter-intelligence during the First World War. Of course she falls in love with an innocent naval lieutenant instead of concentrating on her job. Her big, sad eyes dominate almost every close-up and medium shot.
There's a lot of fun here for fans of old movies, from an early script by John Farrow to a cast of big names in the high-ranking supporting roles (Lew Cody, H.B. Warner) and skilled comedians (Zasu Pitts, Franklin Pangborn, Max Davidson) in the lower-ranks. In the end, though, this is a well-executed potboiler that depends on Helen Twelvetrees for its effect and she delivers.
There's a lot of fun here for fans of old movies, from an early script by John Farrow to a cast of big names in the high-ranking supporting roles (Lew Cody, H.B. Warner) and skilled comedians (Zasu Pitts, Franklin Pangborn, Max Davidson) in the lower-ranks. In the end, though, this is a well-executed potboiler that depends on Helen Twelvetrees for its effect and she delivers.