A typical early talkie with microphones hidden in flower pots, though it is above average from most of the productions of that period. This comedy/drama with decent performances by Clive Brook and Evelyn Brent would have been a lot better for this writer if it was not for seeing such a terrible 16mm print transfered onto video with terrible picture and audio. Good supporting cast includes Eugene Pallette and Helen Ware as an rich couple that Paul Lukas and Brent are trying to swindle. Look for a very young and beautiful Virgina Bruce in a very minor role as Pallette's and Ware's daughter. Set design is good and the scenes that take place in a darkened room at the films finale are quite impressive. Like I had mentioned before, hold out for a good print to turn up.
3 Reviews
Another disappointment!
JohnHowardReid7 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Another very much disappointing early talkie is this 1930 Slightly Scarlet starring the reasonably credible Clive Brook opposite the most unattractively photographed Evelyn Brent.
To make matters worse, the movie is directed as if the film set was actually a theater stage by two Hollywood veterans who should have known better, namely Louis Gasnier and Edwin H. Knopf.
Gasnier helmed the French and Spanish versions also, both starring Adolphe Menjou (opposite Claudette Colbert in the French and Rosita Moreno in the Spanish) which were probably equally as dull, although it must be readily admitted that Paul Lukas as the organ-playing villain does liven the film up momentarily.
The VintageFilmBuff DVD rates at least 8/10, but you will have to lucky to find a copy as this firm has gone out of business!
To make matters worse, the movie is directed as if the film set was actually a theater stage by two Hollywood veterans who should have known better, namely Louis Gasnier and Edwin H. Knopf.
Gasnier helmed the French and Spanish versions also, both starring Adolphe Menjou (opposite Claudette Colbert in the French and Rosita Moreno in the Spanish) which were probably equally as dull, although it must be readily admitted that Paul Lukas as the organ-playing villain does liven the film up momentarily.
The VintageFilmBuff DVD rates at least 8/10, but you will have to lucky to find a copy as this firm has gone out of business!
Not the most charismatic of stars in creaky early talkie.
mark.waltz2 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
It's a good looking film, filled with fairly decent photography and sets, but the pacing isn't up to par with the big classics of the same year, and the three leads (Evelyn Brent, Clive Brook and Paul Lukas) in the romantic leads are sophisticated but rather amoral, playing thieves and con-artists rather unconcingly. The comedy is lacking too, making much of the film drag when these three are the focus.
The supporting players are actually better, with Eugene Pallette, Helen Ware, Henry Wadsworth and Morgan Farley coming off much better. Even Claud Allister, so annoying in the "Bulldog Drummond" films, does a better job of seeming like he's in a stage play which stifles interest in the leads. This comes off as a weak "Raffles" rip-off, creaky and awkward during crucial scenes, rather a failed experiment that doesn't hold up well at all.
The supporting players are actually better, with Eugene Pallette, Helen Ware, Henry Wadsworth and Morgan Farley coming off much better. Even Claud Allister, so annoying in the "Bulldog Drummond" films, does a better job of seeming like he's in a stage play which stifles interest in the leads. This comes off as a weak "Raffles" rip-off, creaky and awkward during crucial scenes, rather a failed experiment that doesn't hold up well at all.
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