In Crossroads, William Powell has a beautiful new wife, Hedy Lamarr, and a successful teaching career at a university, but no memory of his life before the war. He woke up in an army hospital with amnesia, and Doctor Felix Bressart was left to put together the pieces. His perfect little world gets shattered when he gets blackmailed, threatened that his former identity will be exposed as a bank robber and murderer. The case goes to court, and Bill is left to prove he isn't who the bad guys think he is. But with no memory, it's a hard thing to prove.
This one has lots of twists and turns, so be prepared to sit on the edge of your seat. The courtroom trial is just the beginning of the movie, and so much more happens afterwards that will keep you guessing. Claire Trevor claims Bill was her husband before the war, and Basil Rathbone claims he has undisputed factual proof that can decide the case one way or another. Felix fights hard for his friend and patient, showing yet another new side of his versatility. He's a psychologist who rattles off phrases that would be difficult for a native English speaker, let alone a newcomer to America. As much as I was entertained by the plot twists, I have to admit my favorite part of the movie was the way Felix looked at Hedy. He'd already acted with her in 1940's Comrade X and played her father, but he practically blushes whenever she smiles at him in Crossroads. This is more than just fatherly affection, because in Kathleen, he didn't look at Shirley Temple with the same expression. It's pretty obvious he's smitten with Hedy's beauty as he takes every opportunity to hold her hand, pat her arm, and return her smiles. And why not? I say. They could have private conversations in German in between takes if they wanted to!
Unfortunately, it's not Felix's movie, even though he does have a substantial, meaty role. If you like William Powell and think it would be interesting to see him in a different role than Nick Charles, you'll definitely like this one. Next up, check him out in Take One False Step!
This one has lots of twists and turns, so be prepared to sit on the edge of your seat. The courtroom trial is just the beginning of the movie, and so much more happens afterwards that will keep you guessing. Claire Trevor claims Bill was her husband before the war, and Basil Rathbone claims he has undisputed factual proof that can decide the case one way or another. Felix fights hard for his friend and patient, showing yet another new side of his versatility. He's a psychologist who rattles off phrases that would be difficult for a native English speaker, let alone a newcomer to America. As much as I was entertained by the plot twists, I have to admit my favorite part of the movie was the way Felix looked at Hedy. He'd already acted with her in 1940's Comrade X and played her father, but he practically blushes whenever she smiles at him in Crossroads. This is more than just fatherly affection, because in Kathleen, he didn't look at Shirley Temple with the same expression. It's pretty obvious he's smitten with Hedy's beauty as he takes every opportunity to hold her hand, pat her arm, and return her smiles. And why not? I say. They could have private conversations in German in between takes if they wanted to!
Unfortunately, it's not Felix's movie, even though he does have a substantial, meaty role. If you like William Powell and think it would be interesting to see him in a different role than Nick Charles, you'll definitely like this one. Next up, check him out in Take One False Step!