Midnight Alibi (1934)
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Gangster Lance McGowan (Richard Barthelmess) is on a ship heading back to America when he falls in love with the beautiful Joan (Ann Dvorak). The two don't really find out anything about the other but soon McGowan learns that she's the sister of his rival (Robert Barrat) who he robbed soon after getting back on shore. Now McGowan wants to marry the woman but doesn't know how to get past her brother.
MIDNIGHT ALIBI was a "B" picture that happened to be Barthelmess' final film at Warner Bros. It's interesting to note that the actor became a star after appearing in a few D.W. Griffith films and he remained quite popular throughout the silent era and the early part of the decade but his star began to lose its shine and he found his career pretty much over. This film here certainly wasn't a great way to go out but if you're a fan of the actor or in low-budget "B" movies then there's some nice entertainment to be had here.
Barthelmess is certainly the highlight here as he gives a nice performance as the gangster who finds himself conflicted about what his heart is saying and what he should do in his gangster land. I thought the actor was quite believable and didn't just sleepwalk through the part. Dvorak doesn't have much to do but it's always nice seeing her. Barrat is good as the heavy and Helen Lowell is very good in a brief but important role. Helen Chandler is also good in her small part.
The film manages to be entertaining at just 58 minutes even though there's certainly nothing too original or ground-breaking here. This was meant to play under a bigger and better film and as long as you don't expect too much from it you should find it entertaining enough.
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Gangster Lance McGowan (Richard Barthelmess) is on a ship heading back to America when he falls in love with the beautiful Joan (Ann Dvorak). The two don't really find out anything about the other but soon McGowan learns that she's the sister of his rival (Robert Barrat) who he robbed soon after getting back on shore. Now McGowan wants to marry the woman but doesn't know how to get past her brother.
MIDNIGHT ALIBI was a "B" picture that happened to be Barthelmess' final film at Warner Bros. It's interesting to note that the actor became a star after appearing in a few D.W. Griffith films and he remained quite popular throughout the silent era and the early part of the decade but his star began to lose its shine and he found his career pretty much over. This film here certainly wasn't a great way to go out but if you're a fan of the actor or in low-budget "B" movies then there's some nice entertainment to be had here.
Barthelmess is certainly the highlight here as he gives a nice performance as the gangster who finds himself conflicted about what his heart is saying and what he should do in his gangster land. I thought the actor was quite believable and didn't just sleepwalk through the part. Dvorak doesn't have much to do but it's always nice seeing her. Barrat is good as the heavy and Helen Lowell is very good in a brief but important role. Helen Chandler is also good in her small part.
The film manages to be entertaining at just 58 minutes even though there's certainly nothing too original or ground-breaking here. This was meant to play under a bigger and better film and as long as you don't expect too much from it you should find it entertaining enough.