Reviews

Charles Coburn is his usual wonderful self. He is in a hurry, as he says `at 65, you have to be in a hurry'.

A charming and funny `surprise' film - the surprises are all the little points of humor, which keep occurring throughout the film usually as punctuations to the events. A `Greek chorus' comments on Joan Bennett's legs, a character continually passes out `repent' cards to characters, mostly the politicians, and look for the sleeping husband in the background of one scene. A little heavy on the Southern touches for our current politically correct times, but not too bad in this regard. The ending is a little abrupt, but all in all, a very enjoyable film.

Reviews of this film do not make clear that it apparently is available in both sound and silent versions. The version of this film borrowed from our local library was the silent version as apparently this film was Capra's 2nd talkie and last silent (per Moviediva web site). It had a very distracting soundtrack that did not match the moods on the screen at all. Still, if you are a Capra or Stanwyck fan, the silent version is better than none at all and worth the time. Hopefully, I will be able to see a sound version on Turner or AMC.

Refreshing `lost' gem! Featuring effective dialog combined with excellent acting to establish the characters and involve you enough to care what happens to them. The Douglas and Widmark characters are realistic heroes. Palance is his usual evil presence. Widmark win the fisticuffs fight scene, a car chase of less than 60 seconds with a `logical' end, and a lengthy chase on foot that shames the overdone chase sequences of contemporary Hollywood. You know how it will likely end, but the suspense and interest are sustained throughout. The end of the chase is one of the most realistic you will ever see. The film seems to slow a little past the middle, but stay with it for the rewarding conclusion.

On the one hand, you can't go wrong with the cast who are almost always interesting and enjoyable to watch. On the other hand, the film seems very flat and there are many, many better Bogart and Robinson films.

This film is not played as broad comedy, and it's certainly not a gangster flick. Bogart is appropriately (?) sinister for a 30s Warner's gangster, but the rest of the gang is pretty tame to say the least. This may or may not help the comedy aspects.

Everything just seems to lie there and float along with the occasional laugh.

This is one of the better entries in the Drummond series. Three of the best entries are from 1937. The real reason they are better may be because of the writer, Edward T. Lowe Jr. He wrote this one as well as 1937's Bulldog Drummond Escapes and Bulldog Drummond Comes Back.

The pace is quick, the dialog good, and there is some very nice physical humor throughout that features reasonable exaggeration without being too farcical. John Barrymore's more restrained performance as Col. Nielsen helps to highlight his bits of physical humor. The supporting cast is in especially fine form.

The plot centers on the theft of a powerful explosive and our hero's efforts to retrieve it and solve the murders associated with the theft. There is nice touch involving a hand and arm.

Lastly, if don't like to see women faint, stay away!

One of the weaker entries in the Drummond series, but it's still entertaining. Perhaps I've seen too many of the Drummond films too close together. The humor is not as sharp as earlier entries. The pacing is fine, but the plot and villains don't seem to be up to snuff. The villains don't appear evil or sharp enough to harm a fly, let alone our hero.

There is a nice sequence of that wonderful 30s "lab equipment" working its magic. So much more exciting and dramatic than computer chips and LEDs! Now that's evil!

Competent B mystery. A nice opening, listen closely to the dialog. Bonita Granville is a forceful career woman who handles herself competently (given it's 1946), but don't miss the last line in the movie! First part moves along nicely, but slows down near the end as it gets less logical. It's entertaining with okay dialog.

June Clayworth is good as a loose married woman. This film is apparently not on VHS or DVD, but I saw it on TCM.

Humorous dialog is the big plus for this film, and it's not even so-called 'British humor'. Is this a spoof or not? That's the best kind!

The fast pace combined with the typically weak early 30s British audio quality means you have to listen closely to catch a lot of the humor, but there are also visual slapstick and spoof-like moments too.

Having enjoyed several of the Bulldog movies starring John Howard (and the one Ray Milland entry), this movie was especially enjoyable for its `spin' on the characters and series. Use of the London Underground helps the atmosphere and staging as well as providing some humorous references in the dialog.

This is definitely a "B" type western, but Randolph Scott does his normal star role as Randolph Scott. "Chic" Sale's performance as the "old timer" is very entertaining, the plot is decent, and everything moves along. Some interesting little add ins, like the two dogs. You can also see Ann Sheridan before she learned to act.

All in all a little better than average for this era.

David Niven et al are charming in this tale involving the confused identity of Niven's character. The love story and humor were more interesting to me than the musical aspects which seemed rather weak except for Vera-Ellen's dancing talent. Depending on your interest, you can fast-forward these scenes. The confused identity situations seemed more natural and less contrived than most movies and certainly were better than today's TV situation comedies.

David Niven is especially good at being David Niven! Ceasar Romero does well, if a little extreme, in his role.

Other review comments here are accurate enough - slow start, somewhat confusing if you haven't at least read a short review first, decent (for the period) chase sequence toward end. Several entertaining moments, but overall you don't get to care anything about the characters. Unless you are a Hitchcock fan, this one can be skipped. The greatest entertainment in it is evaluating the techniques used as part of Hitchcock's body of work.

Funny, endearing tale represents the best of "they don't make them like this anymore." Coburn is excellent in support. The Donald Duck toy(s) would steal the movie if the cast itself and the writing weren't so great. New Year's Eve party and street scene following are top-notch "falling in love" moments.

Entertaining mystery for 30s film fans with decent dialogue and a plot that moves along smartly. Although predictable, the plot elements seem logical. David Niven is his usual charming self, and handles his confused love interest with a believable flair. One `groaner' moment near the end when the bad guy doesn't do you-know-what.

Hollywood treatment of Texas / USA history is not very well done here. Very difficult to identify with the characters or the actors. Chemistry was better between Gable and Gardner in their 1947 "The Hucksters". If you enjoy the "Texas is bigger than the USA" idea, then watch for Crawford's map display. This is the best one I have seen yet!

Charming film of first love and it's in the same mode as the better "The World Of Henry Orient". Plot devices work for the most part with one exception. Don't miss the start of the bicycle race! Between this film and Henry Orient, was director Hill an ideal adolescent girl?

very light caper comedy, but enjoyable because of the cast. Robert Redford should "lighten up" over a release to video. The movie has some nice turns for this type of film, but the plot is extremely thin. Decent late night viewing.