In recent years I've endured some truly dire British films from the 1930s, often from the likes of Carol Reed, so it's a welcome change to stumble across one that strains credulity only marginally and boasts a cast that will interest anyone interested in early sound films from both sides of the Atlantic. Margaret Rutherford, for example, is widely if erroneously believed to have begun her career with the play version of Blithe Spirit, produced in 1940 whilst Dusty Ermine, produced in 1936, finds her already well established and enjoying a meaty supporting role as a key member of a ring of forgers. The plot sees another forger, Ronald Squire (totally unconnected to the ring) returning from prison to the home of his brother and finding that his nephew, Arthur Macrae, has become involved with the forgers. The main thrust of the plot concerns Squires' efforts to save his nephew from a life of crime which involves a journey to a Switzerland ten times more convincing than the one to which Carol Reed transported Michael Redgrave and Jessie Matthews. With people like Katie Johnson and Anthony Bushell along for the ride this is a pleasant enough diversion.
15 Reviews
Such a good film.
Sleepin_Dragon15 October 2021
A forget gets out of prison determined to go straight, however he's intercepted by a crime network.
I rather enjoyed this, it definitely develops well, and gains pace, the early stages are very slow, but stick with it, ultimately it really is rewarding.
The acting is very, very solid, ahead of its time, if like me you're here for Margaret Rutherford, you won't be disappointed, even if she perhaps isn't in it a huge deal, she is marvellous though, hard to believe she's 44 here. The acting in general is great.
It's very well made, with nice locations, it's very solid, and again defies its years. I love the style of it, it has bags of charm and appeal.
Funny, and enjoyable, 7/10.
I rather enjoyed this, it definitely develops well, and gains pace, the early stages are very slow, but stick with it, ultimately it really is rewarding.
The acting is very, very solid, ahead of its time, if like me you're here for Margaret Rutherford, you won't be disappointed, even if she perhaps isn't in it a huge deal, she is marvellous though, hard to believe she's 44 here. The acting in general is great.
It's very well made, with nice locations, it's very solid, and again defies its years. I love the style of it, it has bags of charm and appeal.
Funny, and enjoyable, 7/10.
Boring first half gives way to an ahead of its time climax
Leofwine_draca23 May 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Ignore the rubbish title, DUSTY ERMINE is an intriguing little crime potboiler made in Britain in 1936. It features an entirely stodgy and studio bound first half which gives way to a rather exciting action-adventure second, with location photography in Austria and the Swiss Alps, no less. The storyline is about a likable old-time forger who's just been released from prison. Although his family welcome him back with open arms, he soon falls into his old ways and becomes involved with a criminal gang whose main hideout is in the Alps.
After a while, the action thankfully shifts to this exotic locale, building incident upon incident until the picture closes with a large-scale skiing set-piece that brings to mind the likes of the Bond pic THE SPY WHO LOVED ME. Seriously, the skiing action is out of this world and ahead of its time; DUSTY ERMINE must have had a decent budget for once, because I haven't seen much like this in a 1930s B-movie before. The cast is rather below-par (although Margaret Rutherford has a hilarious supporting turn) but when this film hits the mark it really works.
After a while, the action thankfully shifts to this exotic locale, building incident upon incident until the picture closes with a large-scale skiing set-piece that brings to mind the likes of the Bond pic THE SPY WHO LOVED ME. Seriously, the skiing action is out of this world and ahead of its time; DUSTY ERMINE must have had a decent budget for once, because I haven't seen much like this in a 1930s B-movie before. The cast is rather below-par (although Margaret Rutherford has a hilarious supporting turn) but when this film hits the mark it really works.
Dusty Ermine review
JoeytheBrit29 April 2020
A sort-of-young Margaret Rutherford shows her comic potential in this early appearance as a member of a shady counterfeiting ring in this entertaining if slightly muddled comedy-thriller. Ronald Squire is a reformed forger who discovers that his talented nephew has been drawn into the same racket by a gang operating out of a sports hotel in the Swiss Alps and travels there to sort things out. He's tailed by dashing, Germanic-looking Scotland Yard cop Anthony Bushell, who wastes no time wooing Squire's niece. The Alps provide an unusual location for a British movie from the '30s and there's a lengthy but decent climactic chase sequence down the side of a mountain, but the film suffers when Squire is off-screen (which he is for a lengthy spell).
It Certainly Had it's Moments
vogun-1756322 March 2018
Most of the best parts are in the second half (as another reviewer states). It opens well, which includes a great exchange at the prison gates. It then settles into an English 1930's type film that is slightly askew, in that the crook is accepted back into the Middle Class family fold, and not much is said about the miscreant.
The plot develops, and could be quicker, but then by half way through the film, it takes off in style. It involves counterfeiting, mountain scenery, a love interest and general chicanery. It must be important case I thought, as there were undercover policemen operating in the UK as well as in Switzerland.
The Swiss scenes fooled me, as it looked like most of them were shot on location in Switzerland (?). Yes, there were backdrops but there were none for the marvellous ski chase scene, which was very realistic in that skiers fell over, unlike the Olympic skiers in Jame's Bond's OHMSS.
It all moved along at a very entertaining pace in the second half and for me was worth the first half. It must be said that the acting is staid in parts (it is the 1930's after all), and very warm in others thank goodness.
For me? I like this kind of film, and my time was not wasted here, as it unlike other movies of this period. I hope that I have given you an idea whether to view or not (I leave the finer details to others to identify).
The plot develops, and could be quicker, but then by half way through the film, it takes off in style. It involves counterfeiting, mountain scenery, a love interest and general chicanery. It must be important case I thought, as there were undercover policemen operating in the UK as well as in Switzerland.
The Swiss scenes fooled me, as it looked like most of them were shot on location in Switzerland (?). Yes, there were backdrops but there were none for the marvellous ski chase scene, which was very realistic in that skiers fell over, unlike the Olympic skiers in Jame's Bond's OHMSS.
It all moved along at a very entertaining pace in the second half and for me was worth the first half. It must be said that the acting is staid in parts (it is the 1930's after all), and very warm in others thank goodness.
For me? I like this kind of film, and my time was not wasted here, as it unlike other movies of this period. I hope that I have given you an idea whether to view or not (I leave the finer details to others to identify).
A must see
greenacreshaney25 July 2021
Dusty Ermine
CinemaSerf12 January 2024
This is quite a decent, character-driven yarn about a forger "Kent" (Ronald Squire) who has recently been released from prison and who is determined to stay on the straight and narrow. Snag is, his young nephew "Gilbert" (Arthur Macrae) has fallen in with his former gang and they are now up to no good in Switzerland. That's where he must now head, hoping to extricate him before Scotland Yard in the form of "Insp. Forsyth" (Anthony Bushell) bangs them all to rights. The presence of Felix Aylmer, Austin Trevor and Katie Johnson add loads to the detail and charm of the plot, and Margaret Rutherford is just super as the shrewd "Miss Butterby". It is a little too long and the story is a wee bit all over the place, but that doesn't really matter - it's just a good excuse for them all to have some fun in the snow, and for the most part it's quite contagious. I could have done with a bit more from Squire, but what we do have is entertaining enough.
Dusty old nonsense
AAdaSC10 July 2022
Corrr.......what a bore.....Blimey....... Something to do with ski-ing.
Ronald Squire (Jim) is released from jail after serving 4 years for forgery. Not a bad sentence, really. Probably worth doing it all again. That's what Margaret Rutherford (Miss Butterby) thinks as she approaches Squire to join her forgery outfit based in the Alps. Squire isn't keen, though. Anyway, the film bogs down a bit with the characters in his family and it gets a bit boring and confusing. The quality of the film doesn't help as the sound is poor and so you have to struggle to hear the dialogue clearly. Well, everyone ends up in the Alps and there is lots of ski-ing.
The film has a funny sequence when Rutherford goes to the bank and the cashier asks her to step into the manager's office. Uh-oh, she's been rumbled. She walks the opposite way to the exit and you urge her on shouting, "faster, get out!" Ha ha. We also get to see an avalanche and have some moments of tension on a train. Unfortunately, this film, like so many British films, throws in comedy sections that don't belong in a thriller. The romantic comedy angle was not needed. The cast also speak in that clipped upper-class accent which sounds a bit twatish really.
Ronald Squire (Jim) is released from jail after serving 4 years for forgery. Not a bad sentence, really. Probably worth doing it all again. That's what Margaret Rutherford (Miss Butterby) thinks as she approaches Squire to join her forgery outfit based in the Alps. Squire isn't keen, though. Anyway, the film bogs down a bit with the characters in his family and it gets a bit boring and confusing. The quality of the film doesn't help as the sound is poor and so you have to struggle to hear the dialogue clearly. Well, everyone ends up in the Alps and there is lots of ski-ing.
The film has a funny sequence when Rutherford goes to the bank and the cashier asks her to step into the manager's office. Uh-oh, she's been rumbled. She walks the opposite way to the exit and you urge her on shouting, "faster, get out!" Ha ha. We also get to see an avalanche and have some moments of tension on a train. Unfortunately, this film, like so many British films, throws in comedy sections that don't belong in a thriller. The romantic comedy angle was not needed. The cast also speak in that clipped upper-class accent which sounds a bit twatish really.
An excellent example of 1930's British film
russell-163 February 1999
For a British film of this period it has a very fast pace, albeit mostly due to rear screen work. The performances, although a little theatrical, are very good for the time. Margaret Rutherford is particularly entertaining. I found the film thoroughly enjoyable, but then I like that kind of thing.
An A Picture From Twickenham
boblipton18 February 2023
Ronald Squire is released from prison after a term for forgery. He is approached by some folks who include Margaret Rutherford (in her first credited role), who point out the profits, but he's already experienced the losses, so he turns them down. Instead they approach his nephew, Arthur Macrae, who has abandoned the legal profession of his ancestors for the unprofitable trade of painter. When forged notes start turning up, Squire is summoned by the police. He's innocent, but realizes who is responsible, so he takes Macrae's sister, Jane Baxter, on a trip to Switzerland to follow Macrae and urge him to the straight and narrow. There, they run into Scotland Yard investigator Anthony Bushell.
There are some lovely sequences shot in Switzerland and the Tyrol; producer Julius Hagen was trying to get out of the Quota Quickie trade into more profitable A pictures. This would prove to be a financial mistake as the market for A pictures in Britain were limited and his distributors cut off the American markets. In the meantime, director Bernard Vorhaus shot some nice pictures in the snow, including an exciting chase sequence, and the script provides a very clever ending. With Katie Johnson, Felix Aylmar, and Wally Patch.
There are some lovely sequences shot in Switzerland and the Tyrol; producer Julius Hagen was trying to get out of the Quota Quickie trade into more profitable A pictures. This would prove to be a financial mistake as the market for A pictures in Britain were limited and his distributors cut off the American markets. In the meantime, director Bernard Vorhaus shot some nice pictures in the snow, including an exciting chase sequence, and the script provides a very clever ending. With Katie Johnson, Felix Aylmar, and Wally Patch.
The best of British 1930's style
millerman193927 March 2012
Hi Folks, This is a great British film of 1936 with a good cast and story, the ending sequence will have you on the edge of your seats just like in the great tradition of 1930's serial cliffhangers, I found my self yelling at the screen 'for heaven's sake get down that mountain' not something I'm given to doing at films nowadays at 62 it's not something thats the thing to do... or is it, this film is great fun and the end chase down the ski slopes is a real cliffhanger, it took me back to Saturday morning kids matinée's during the 1950's, if you enjoy old cinema serials enjoy this film, if you've never seen this type film then watch and enjoy and see what you missed, also worth watching for the technology of the time, which in no way decreases the pace, great entertainment.
The 44 Year Old Margaret Rutherford
richardchatten3 September 2019
The title might actually have been explained in Neil Grant's original play, which sadly seems typical of the inattention to mundane details which pushed producer Julius Hagen into bankruptcy within a year of this film's release. Hagen seems actually to have splashed out on sending to the Austrian Alps leads Anthony Bushell, the delightful Jane Baxter (whom I saw in the flesh along with director Bernard Vorhaus at a screening of this film on the South Bank in 1986) and writer/actor Arthur Macrae for the James Bond-style finale.
The cast also includes slightly younger versions than we are accustomed to of Ronald Squire before he grew his moustache (the film ends with a wonderful gag reminding us of his resourcefulness as a forger), Katie Johnson (nearly twenty years before 'The Ladykillers'), and Margaret Rutherford making a priceless film debut as a master criminal (a role not in the original play).
The cast also includes slightly younger versions than we are accustomed to of Ronald Squire before he grew his moustache (the film ends with a wonderful gag reminding us of his resourcefulness as a forger), Katie Johnson (nearly twenty years before 'The Ladykillers'), and Margaret Rutherford making a priceless film debut as a master criminal (a role not in the original play).
... delightful - akin to an early Hitchcock?
ouzman-124 April 2020
This was an early promotion of a "young" Margaret Rutherford - albeit that she was playing a secondary role, so certainly was NOT the star of this movie. We are though given a film adaption of a play. Before any suspense you get the back story and development of the characters. I would love this film to be properly cleaned and rid us of the curse of "w0w-wow" and "hiss" that pervades these film found around these times.
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Magical moment in the Swiss Alps (yes it was filmed on location) a perfect setting. Not quite a romp but a very worthy effort from the director who retreated after a couple more attempts but the 30s recession beat him and he went west and on to direct such a star as John Wayne. So Hitchcock's possible nemeses never re-emerged.
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I liked this comfy film and it sits happily within my 'forever" list. (I must get out more) But having seen "Angel has Fallen" I can declare that this 1930's film now becomes a classic by comparison! It might tire during some scenes, but there is an engaging few moment between Bushell and Baxter, and the ever delightful Kate Johnson (Lady Killers).
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Go on give it a go!
Go on give it a go!
Exciting, imaginative and engaging.
1930s_Time_Machine24 January 2024
You'll not believe that this was made by little old Twickenham Films! It's almost brilliant. Its script is intelligent, witty and engrossing, its characters are totally believable and the acting is honestly outstanding - a far cry from a lot of the rubbish that was around in the 30s. And unbelievably it was made by Twickenham!
This was Julius Hagen's last big budget (for him anyway) Twickenham Films extravaganza before his ambitions bankrupted his studio. However modest in terms of what 'a budget' meant say at Gaumont-British or Paramount, it allowed Bernard Vorhaus to do what he'd always wanted to do - properly direct a proper film. Vorhaus has quite a cult following and you can see why. Given a decent budget, freed from the restraints of making the 'quota quickies' all his pent up ambitions and creativity are realised in this brilliantly, yes brilliantly made production. His photographer, the German Curt Courant who worked on some of Europe's most prestigious pictures also imbues this film real sense elegance and a touch of class.
Having watched countless films from the early and mid thirties, mainly American, I have to say that this is one of the finest, best quality offerings I've ever seen - and it's not from MGM or Warners, it's not even from Gaumont-British, it from Twickenham! What's surprising is the quality of the acting, it's naturalistic, realistic and a far cry from what you might expect from this era - and certainly from this studio. Excellent writing and authentic acting allow all the main characters literally develop and evolve into real, believable people before your eyes. In just an hour and a half you really get to know them.
Unlike THE GHOST CAMERA which Hagen and Vorhaus made a couple of years earlier, this does take a while to get going but you'll be hooked within fifteen minutes. Sometimes you need to lower your 'quality control bar' with 30s films but not with this. Watch and enjoy!
This was Julius Hagen's last big budget (for him anyway) Twickenham Films extravaganza before his ambitions bankrupted his studio. However modest in terms of what 'a budget' meant say at Gaumont-British or Paramount, it allowed Bernard Vorhaus to do what he'd always wanted to do - properly direct a proper film. Vorhaus has quite a cult following and you can see why. Given a decent budget, freed from the restraints of making the 'quota quickies' all his pent up ambitions and creativity are realised in this brilliantly, yes brilliantly made production. His photographer, the German Curt Courant who worked on some of Europe's most prestigious pictures also imbues this film real sense elegance and a touch of class.
Having watched countless films from the early and mid thirties, mainly American, I have to say that this is one of the finest, best quality offerings I've ever seen - and it's not from MGM or Warners, it's not even from Gaumont-British, it from Twickenham! What's surprising is the quality of the acting, it's naturalistic, realistic and a far cry from what you might expect from this era - and certainly from this studio. Excellent writing and authentic acting allow all the main characters literally develop and evolve into real, believable people before your eyes. In just an hour and a half you really get to know them.
Unlike THE GHOST CAMERA which Hagen and Vorhaus made a couple of years earlier, this does take a while to get going but you'll be hooked within fifteen minutes. Sometimes you need to lower your 'quality control bar' with 30s films but not with this. Watch and enjoy!
Seen as "Dusty Ermine"
plan9922 January 2023
Considering when it was made it's still watchable now and the acting was a lot less melodramatic than would be expected of a 1930s film. A nice selection of well acted goodies and baddies characters and the snowy scenes were a blast from the past with the very badly dated skiing woolen clothes which would have got very damp from the snow, no waterproof man made fabrics available way back then. We have gone from the large crinkly white banknotes seen in this film to small plastic springy and sticky ones these days, unavoidable "progress" I suppose. Well worth watching and this film proves that Margaret Rutherford was never "young", she was born old but she suits it very well.
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