The final screen role of George Arliss finds him back in the United Kingdom in the title role of Doctor Syn. At first glance he's the mild mannered vicar who takes a paternal interest in pretty Margaret Lockwood and her budding romance with the young squire in the area, John Loder. But in reality he's got a far better second career going as a smuggler.
Doctor Syn ought to be good at it. In reality he's the famous pirate Captain Clegg thought to have been hung years ago. And some of the village establishment in Dymchurch where Arliss has his parsonage really work for him in the smuggling trade.
Roy Emerton of the Royal Navy has come to Dymchurch to uncover the smuggling racket. He's a dogged fellow and his probing uncovers some disturbing information.
Arliss gives a fine farewell performance in his last screen role done for his country's cinema as opposed to Hollywood. It's fascinating though that Alfred Hitchcock with an eye towards the American market and our Code changed the pirate/parson in his film, Jamaica Inn, while apparently no one felt any compunction about doing that for Dr. Syn.
Two remakes were made of this story, Hammer did one with Peter Cushing in the title role and Walt Disney had a three part television story that starred Patrick McGoohan.
Best performance in the supporting cast is that of Graham Moffatt who comes off as a British Lou Costello. He plays an apparently dimwitted young kid who turns out not to be so dumb in the end.
Doctor Syn was a fine film for George Arliss to leave the cinema with and it still holds up very well today.
Doctor Syn ought to be good at it. In reality he's the famous pirate Captain Clegg thought to have been hung years ago. And some of the village establishment in Dymchurch where Arliss has his parsonage really work for him in the smuggling trade.
Roy Emerton of the Royal Navy has come to Dymchurch to uncover the smuggling racket. He's a dogged fellow and his probing uncovers some disturbing information.
Arliss gives a fine farewell performance in his last screen role done for his country's cinema as opposed to Hollywood. It's fascinating though that Alfred Hitchcock with an eye towards the American market and our Code changed the pirate/parson in his film, Jamaica Inn, while apparently no one felt any compunction about doing that for Dr. Syn.
Two remakes were made of this story, Hammer did one with Peter Cushing in the title role and Walt Disney had a three part television story that starred Patrick McGoohan.
Best performance in the supporting cast is that of Graham Moffatt who comes off as a British Lou Costello. He plays an apparently dimwitted young kid who turns out not to be so dumb in the end.
Doctor Syn was a fine film for George Arliss to leave the cinema with and it still holds up very well today.