SYNOPSIS: Seeking to revenge himself on an employee's father, an art dealer frames the lead member of his staff for theft, not knowing that his own wife can alibi the man.
COMMENT: It's a shame that something more substantial didn't come out of the crossed paths of director Brenon who came from the States to make movies in Britain and actor Knowles shortly to depart Britain for the States. Nevertheless, here is elegance indeed in a mild and not too disturbing yet sufficiently escapist revenge plot amongst the British upper crust. Not a great deal of action, in fact hardly any, but beautifully costumed, impeccably mounted, lustrously photographed, earnestly acted. The opening scenes are directed with commendable fluidity. Although Brenon then settles down to a competent but less flashy style, he still manages to disguise the fact that what we have here is merely a photographed stage play. The scriptwriters have attempted virtually no opening out at all. But thanks to Brenon's skill we wouldn't have noticed had the plot been just a mite more interesting. Unfortunately it's on the dull side, its paucity of action compounded by a central situation that's as easy to spot coming as it is to resolve.
Aside from the vicarious glamor, the main reason to catch the film today is its 1935 magnet: Greta Nissen. A lovely girl, a spirited and natural actress, exquisitely costumed too, she's allowed to quite overshadow the trim but somewhat dowdily attired Margaret Lockwood (doing her good girl bit) and even the more exotic Chili Bouchier (as a confessed thief). Despite his dapper, Errol Flynnish appearance, Patric Knowles is even wetter than usual. The other players are tolerably competent, though easily out-acted by W. H. Berry in a key cameo in the 3rd Act.
COMMENT: It's a shame that something more substantial didn't come out of the crossed paths of director Brenon who came from the States to make movies in Britain and actor Knowles shortly to depart Britain for the States. Nevertheless, here is elegance indeed in a mild and not too disturbing yet sufficiently escapist revenge plot amongst the British upper crust. Not a great deal of action, in fact hardly any, but beautifully costumed, impeccably mounted, lustrously photographed, earnestly acted. The opening scenes are directed with commendable fluidity. Although Brenon then settles down to a competent but less flashy style, he still manages to disguise the fact that what we have here is merely a photographed stage play. The scriptwriters have attempted virtually no opening out at all. But thanks to Brenon's skill we wouldn't have noticed had the plot been just a mite more interesting. Unfortunately it's on the dull side, its paucity of action compounded by a central situation that's as easy to spot coming as it is to resolve.
Aside from the vicarious glamor, the main reason to catch the film today is its 1935 magnet: Greta Nissen. A lovely girl, a spirited and natural actress, exquisitely costumed too, she's allowed to quite overshadow the trim but somewhat dowdily attired Margaret Lockwood (doing her good girl bit) and even the more exotic Chili Bouchier (as a confessed thief). Despite his dapper, Errol Flynnish appearance, Patric Knowles is even wetter than usual. The other players are tolerably competent, though easily out-acted by W. H. Berry in a key cameo in the 3rd Act.
