Absolute Quiet (1936) User Reviews

An interesting cast in a strange little film

[flatrich · 7/10 · 17 August 2000]

Absolute Quiet seems a strange side assignment for the director of the Andy Hardy series, George B. Seitz and his sometime cinematographer Lester White. The actors were probably B-movie favorites to moviegoers in the 30s, but aside from Atwill and Stu Erwin most are long forgotten now. Familiar faces everywhere, nonetheless, in this odd little MGM picture with Atwill in the lead, supported by Lewis Hayward in a minor and atypical role. One can almost imagine an A-picture cast instead: if MGM had gotten Bette Davis for the Irene Hervey role and Cagney for Wallace Ford.

Atwill is great as always, one of the most underrated actors of the Golden Era, and Bernadene Hayes steals the film half way through as the Vaudeville hoofer turned gun moll.

I'll bet it was fun to make this one.

I needed absolute quiet after I watched this!...

[AlsExGal · 7/10 · 16 July 2023]

... because it really is a suspenseful and busy little film. It's like Petrified Forest meets Airport meets A Star Is Born meets Bonnie and Clyde meets The Senator is Indiscreet and I don't think I'm spoiling anything to tell you that.

Gerald Axton (Lionel Atwill), a wealthy industrialist, is told by his doctor that he'll have a fatal heart attack if he doesn't rest awhile, so he decides to retreat to his ranch. Axton has sent an actress he has romantically tired of away to Hollywood for a screen test, and she is scheduled to fly there the next day with an actor she is in love with (Louis Hayward), The fact that she chose another man and has bruised his ego is why Axton wants her out of his sight. On the same plane is the windbag governor of the state, with whom Axton is currently having a feud. A cynical world-weary reporter is also onboard.

Axton is currently in love with his assistant, Laura, and has convinced her to come to his ranch with him. He has sent her husband on a rather dangerous aerial mission given the weather, and hopes to seduce Laura while her husband is otherwise occupied in the air. At the same time, murderers Jack and Judy escape from the sheriff near the Axton ranch and are looking for a place to temporarily hole up.

All of these people - and their planes - end up at the Axton ranch. Since Axton doesn't particularly like any of these people he plays psychological games with them, with unclear motives, although it's safe to say he'd be OK with all of them winding up dead with the exception of Laura. Complications ensue.

This is a rare B movie for MGM, with none of their familiar contract players, not even their supporting ones. The role of the hardened and hard drinking reporter would have probably gone to Lee Tracy in better days, but is well played by Stuart Erwin. The fact that he and Atwill are the most recognizable members of the cast just burnishes the film's B credentials.

It has a seemingly code busting ending that is oddly sympathetic to the escaped criminals. I'd recommend it as an entertaining B that looks like nothing else MGM did during the 30s.

Bonnie & Clyde -- type suspense thriller

[ksf-2 · 7/10 · 24 September 2007]

The top billed stars in Absolute Quiet are Lionel Atwill as Gerald Axton (Atwill appeared in many murder mysteries and horror films) and Irene Hervey as Laura Tait (Destry Rides Again), but the real stars here are reporter Oscar Rudd (played by Stuart Erwin) and a political bigshot played by Raymond Walburn. Two crooks on the run interfere with an airplane trying to land, but things are complicated because there are political bigshots and reporters on that airplane. Viewers will also see character actor Edwin Maxwell from His Girl Friday, Shop around the Corner, and Cecil DeMille's Cleopatra. Director George Seitz had been writing and directing in Hollywood since 1914, for the silent films. Original story by George Worts. Fun suspense thriller; most of it takes place in one room on the ground, or in the air, so it has the feel of a talkie play, but it's an entertaining film. Lionel Atwill was born in England, and Louis Hayward was was born in S. Africa and raised in England, so there are some accents going on here. Screenplay is pretty whitewashed, but it only costs about an hour and a half to watch it. I get the feeling the original script was a little more naughty...

"B" movie -- "A" acting

[MikeMagi · 27 January 2014]

There are some first-rate performances packed into this surprisingly entertaining "B" movie. Taking it from the top, there's Lionel Atwill as a high-powered tycoon whose doctor orders him to rest his nerves at his ranch out west. That's not easy when Wallace Ford and Bernadene Hayes turn up as a vaudeville act wanted for murder. And when a fog-bound plane crashes, they're joined by Louis Hayward as a fading movie idol whose face is scarred in the accident, Stu Erwin as a wise-guy newspaperman and Raymond Walburn as a blustering politico. Throw in Irene Hervey as the secretary Atwill is trying to bed and J. Carroll Naish as a sly Mexican ranch hand and it's fun watching "Absolute Quiet" just to see who'll try to steal the spotlight from who. My bet goes to Hayes and Ford as the serial killer love birds who insist that they really slayed 'em in vaudeville.

Well above the Poverty Row league!.

[JohnHowardReid · 7/10 · 9 November 2017]

Lionel Atwill (G.A. Axton), Irene Hervey (Laura Tait), Ann Loring (Zelda), Raymond Walburn (Governor Pruden), Stuart Erwin (Chubby Rudd), Louis Hayward (Bengard), Wallace Ford (Jack), Bernadene Hayes (Judy), Harvey Stevens (Barney Tait), Robert Gleckler (Cowdray, Pruden's minder), J. Carroll Naish (Pedro), Edwin Maxwell (Baxter), Charles Trowbridge (doctor), Matt Moore (pilot), Robert Livingston (co- pilot), William Newell (pilot with bottle), Lee Phelps, Monte Vandergrift (mechanics), Alexander Cross (Rudd's editor), Gwen Lee (Western Union operator), James Bush (airport radio operator), Harry Geise (police radio operator), Phil Tead (Dallas Airport radio operator), Jessie Rosenquist (radio announcer), Kitty McHugh (Axton's secretary).

Director: GEORGE B. SEITZ. Screenplay: Harry Clork. Story: George F. Worts. Film editor: Conrad A. Nervig. Photography: Lester White. Art directors: Cedric Gibbons and James Havens. Set decorator: Edwin B. Willis. Costumes designed by Dolly Tree. Music score: Franz Waxman. Dialogue director: Edwin Maxwell. Assistant director: Robert E. Barnes. Continuity "girl": Carl Roup. Sound supervisor: Douglas Shearer. Western Electric Sound Recording. Producer: John W. Considine, junior.

Copyright 14 April 1936 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corporation. New York opening at the Rialto: 1 May 1936. U.S. release: 1 May 1936. Australian release: 25 November 1936. 7 reels. 70 minutes.

SYNOPSIS: After suffering a heart attack in his office, a wealthy tycoon is ordered to take a rest at his remote ranch-house in "absolute quiet".

COMMENT: A favorite plot device for stories and novels (and "B" movies) gathers an interesting group of characters together at a remote farm-house or haunted old mansion, miles away from police and emergency services. It's a mighty effective device, so it's no surprise that "Absolute Quiet" turns out as a solidly entertaining entry in this fascinating genre.

Harry Clork's cleverly ingenious screenplay not only brings a wonderfully diverse array of people together (without straining co- incidence or credibility too far), but sets them up in situations of mutual conflict, and then provides an added bonus in smart, sharply acerbic dialogue. In fact, the script hands just about all the actors meaty roles—and all have a field day.

Without running through the entire cast list, it's virtually impossible to single out a few players for special praise. Nonetheless, in his enthusiastic review in The New York Times, B.R. Crisler did have a go, particularly lauding Bernadene Hayes. A fully justified commendation I feel. A more refined and less tiny Iris Adrian, Miss Hayes was predicted to have "a strong future." (This didn't come about, alas. Miss Hayes spent most of her career in unrewarding support roles in the "B" hive). Also not to be sneezed at, is her partner, Wallace Ford, who is here given a rare opportunity to demonstrate his ability at impersonations. His "butler" is a real scream.

I'd like to add mentions of the lovely, endearing Irene Hervey (whose captivating grace will charm the most unresponsive viewer), personable Louis Hayward (who handles the fallen star with remarkable conviction), cowardly, light-of-brain yet masterfully pompous Raymond Walburn, and the toadying, slyly manipulative Robert Gleckler (who has one of his finest hours as Walburn's minder). And last but not least, Lionel Atwill.

It says much for Atwill's charismatic power, as well as his histrionic talent, that the movie's original conclusion had to be changed in order to accommodate audience expectations. (As shot, the picture ended with Atwill succumbing to a fatal heart attack. This ending so enraged preview patrons, it was completely scissored. The movie now fades out abruptly on a line that was obviously not designed as a curtain tag).

Although production values are firmly "B", the picture has been realized in a typically polished Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer style. Strong direction (from George B. "Andy Hardy" Seitz of all people), attractive photography, gorgeous costumes and some exciting special effects work lift "Absolute Quiet" well above the Poverty Row league.

"The prospect of chili & beans for a whole month is rather depressing"

[utgard14 · 7/10 · 22 January 2014]

There's a lot going on in this one so I doubt I'll do it justice with a brief summary but I'll try. Lionel Atwill plays a businessman with a heart problem who is told to spend time at his ranch for "absolute quiet." He takes along his secretary (Irene Hervey), who is one of two women he is unsuccessfully trying to get with in the movie. While at the ranch they are taken hostage by two criminals named Jack and Judy (Wallace Ford and Bernadene Hayes). Then a plane crashes onto the ranch! The plane is carrying several people who have ties to Atwill, including ineffectual Governor Pruden (a terrific Raymond Walburn) and Atwill's former mistress (Ann Loring) with her actor boyfriend (Louis Hayward). There's also the obligatory wise-cracking reporter (Stuart Erwin). From here it becomes a variation on The Petrified Forest, where all the plane crash survivors join Atwill and Hervey as hostages of the criminal duo and the rest of the film takes places mostly in one room.

What an interesting movie. Completely far-fetched and melodramatic but fascinating nonetheless. It's helped by a great cast and ample doses of humor, intentional and unintentional. In addition to those I mentioned above, J. Carrol Naish also appears briefly as a handyman, using his trademark "is it Italian or is it Spanish" accent. Definitely an unknown treat for classic movie fans so check it out.

Absolute Nonsense, But Entertaining...

[xerses13 · 6/10 · 21 January 2010]

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery then this film full-fills it's designs. It is useless to write even a bare bones synopsis of it, for it copies from ever classic or trite pot-boiler of the 'Golden Age' of Hollywood. A true example of a throw-away programmer that any of the major studios churned out to fill their production obligations of fifty (50+) plus features a year.

The cast, all first rate character actors or middle-tier stars perform their obligations well. Each fulfilling a specified characterization. Lionel Atwill, driven and vindictive business tycoon no doubt a R.I.N.O, Raymond Walburn, corrupt Governor (in Illinois that's expected), Stuart Erwin, obnoxious reporter (is there any other type), Louis Hayward, washed up actor (which he would become post WWII). Added too this is Wallace Ford and Bernadene Hayes as 'Jack and Judy' (Bonnie & Clyde) plus Irene Hervey and Ann Loring for the 'Damsels In Distress' (D.I.D.).

They are all thrown together in a plot that includes a isolated ranch substituting for the 'old dark house'. Romantic liaisons gone wrong, a airplane crash with gangsters on the loose. Too bad they did not have a sandstorm to go with it, but you cannot have everything. I liked it and with a running time of only 70" you cannot go wrong to give it a try.

Saturated With Slang And Cynicism

[LeonLouisRicci · 7/10 · 22 January 2014]

Energetic, Claustrophobic, Character Driven Talk-A-Thon, this B-Movie is Fun to Watch with its Overblown Stereotypes and its Depression Era Sensibility. The Completely Inept and Decidedly Dumb Politician seems to be the Sounding Board for the Woes of the Time and the Jack and Judy (Bonnie and Clyde) Characters are also Straight out of the Headlines of the Day.

It has a lot of Slang and Snappy Appeal and is rather Entertaining and Never Lulls in its Short Running Time. An Artifact of its Day to be sure, it Holds Up because of its Cynical Nature and some Fine Character Actors.

Lionel Atwill as Always is Deliciously Diabolical, even as a Lecherous Non Villain, and Manipulates the Proceeding as the "Big Shot" and along with the other Pulpy Characters make this just Off Kilter enough to be Apart from the Usual Assembly Line Pictures that were Churned Out by the Hundreds for Entertainment Starved Depression Dwellers.

Complicated, tough to believe and the bad generally outweighs the good

[planktonrules · 3/10 · 25 September 2007]

This movie is like two or three movie plots all spliced together--and in my eyes, this isn't done in the most successful manner. First, Lionel Atwill orders an up and coming actress to travel to Hollywood with a fading actor. Almost as soon as these two leave, Atwill has a heart attack or something like it and is ordered to take complete rest in the country. He invites along his secretary as his nursemaid and the stage appears to be set for romance at Atwill's country home.

However, then it starts to get VERY strange. It seems that Atwill's ranch has a runway with lights and a beacon--very posh indeed. And, it just so happens that BOTH a Bonnie and Clyde style couple are seen nearby and are being chased by the police AND a plane is about to crash because it's almost out of fuel and the only place it can land is at Atwill's landing field!! Talk about ridiculous! Now the Bonnie and Clyde-style couple is an interesting idea I suppose but Wallace Ford is given horrible lines by the writers. In particular, he says "oke" (pronounced like "oak") about three dozen times when he means to say "okay". After a short time, my teeth began to grind every time he said this!! In addition to these creeps, once the plane crashes, the survivors all come into the ranch house and the whole thing plays out like a stage production--with almost all the action happening in one claustrophobia-inducing room. While interesting at times (especially at the thrilling conclusion), the whole thing seems ridiculous, very far-fetched and poorly written--as if desperately needing a massive re-write. Not a great film by any standard, but there were a few good scenes here and there that might hold your interest.

Why, oh why, did Wallce Ford need to say "oke" again and again and again--it will probably haunt me for some time to come and I'll start avoiding his films!

Anything But

[boblipton · 7/10 · 8 July 2023]

Wall Street stinker Lionel Atwill takes his doctor's advice and goes to his ranch with secretary Irene Hervey -- supposedly for business, but Atwill hopes of the monkey variety. Fleeing criminals Wallace Ford and Bernadene Hayes (a Bonnie-and-Clyde couple) invade, hold them at gunpoint, and crash a plane carrying a bunch of people Atwill has business with.

MGM proudly proclaimed they made no B movies, but there's nothing else to call this. There are no MGM stars, and if it's an entertaining picture with a capable cast -- Raymond Walburn, Louis Hayward, and J. Carroll Naish are present -- that can be ascribed to the competence of the Metro bullpen and the direction of George Seitz. Certainly it's a lot darker than most MGM movies, and Atwill's character looks to be not fully Code compliant. That last is what makes it stand out.

No rest for the wicked.

[mark.waltz · 4/10 · 7 November 2018]

This enjoyable B film is a great combination of light comedy, serious crime drama and romance. It surrounds the attempt of tired businessman (Lionel Atwill) to have a nice rest with secretary Irene Hervey and recover from a slight heart attack. The sudden arrival of "Bonnie and Clyde" like criminals Jack and Jill puts a damper on his plans to romance Hervey whom he secretly is in love with, as does the sudden crash of a plane in a field in front of atwill country home. Aboard the plane are two movie stars (Louis Hayward and Ann Loring), Governor Raymond Walburn and sarcastic reporter Stuart Erwin, eventually all being held prisoner by the two gangsters, Wallace Ford and Bernardine Hayes. The two gangsters want revenge on governor Walburn who has promised to get the death sentence for them once they are captured, so his falling into their lap is quite ironic.

An interesting ensemble programmer, this features plenty of action and amusing lines, with Hayes delightfully tough and Atwill a far cry from the usual villians he played. This is one of those rare moments to see him playing a quite normal person, although it wouldn't surprise me if his illness was brought on by stress over ruthless deals, as evidenced in a scene with the Edward Arnold lookalike Edwin Maxwell. The film overall is extremely entertaining, but I found the sudden burst of gunfire at the end rather out of place and the conclusion involving Ford and Hayes rather unbelievable considering what happens and the unrealistic effects of the circumstances.

A B Picture That Holds Up Better Than Many of its Fancier Peers

[Handlinghandel · 8/10 · 22 July 2005]

It's a little like "Grand Hotel." Today "Grand Hotel" seems stagy and really creaks. "Absolute Quiet" is wife awake and crackles.

It's a little like "The Petrified Forest." That holds up pretty well but is very stagy. And it's a little like "Key Largo," which no one is going to fault.

Lionel Atwill is a manipulator who tries to have the husband of a woman he's attracted to crash his plane. At the same time, he will be taking care of an ex-girlfriend, an actress he has ostensibly sent to Hollywood in that same plane. Her boyfriend, Louis Hayward, a fading movie star, is also on the plane, as is the governor of the state. Atwill has it in for him.

The plane crashes at his house in the country, where he is ostensibly taking in the eponymous rest.

Add t to this mix a reporter who wants the story. (A rather pudgy looking Stuart Erwin is good in this role.) And a Bonnie and Clyde duo on the lam. Their names are Jack and Judy. Or, their name (as they were originally a vaudeville team) IS Jack and Judy.

All this, as well as a couple minor players, in one house! This doesn't come across as a formulaic programmer. It has plenty of tension. The only aspect that bothered me was Jack's slang: Over and over, instead of saying "OK," he says "Oke." Slang can really date a movie. But this one holds up very well indeed, in spite of that one small annoyance.

B-movie

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 19 August 2023]

Businessman Gerald Axton (Lionel Atwill) has a breakdown and his doctor orders him to rest. He's headed to his ranch and convinces his secretary Laura Tait (Irene Hervey) to join him. They are interrupted by an escaped criminal couple and then a plane crash lands onto the property. The plane happens to be carrying Governor Pruden (Raymond Walburn), a reporter, and others.

Well, this story has a lot of random occurences. It's not a comedy, but it feels like a screwball comedy. Some of the characters are written a little dumb and that seems to be the comedy attempt. Bonnie and Clyde and the governor don't make the best decisions. Bonnie and Clyde should take everyone captives as soon as they get there. The best option is take the governor and a few other hostages on a getaway to Mexico. On the other hand, I don't know why the governor is hesitant to sign the pardon. It's like these characters aren't thinking properly. Also, the people should be more scared with the gun-wielding criminals. It's a B-movie. With some better writing, this could be a tense crime drama.

Unexpected gem

[buystuffrnh · 8/10 · 2 November 2020]

Should have been just another B movie, but very good acting by most, directing and an ok script produced a drama-comdy with just enough thriller to make it a little gem.

Well acted old fashioned cynical American comedy.

[ianmcg · 7 March 1999]

This minor movie is worth watching but a bit corny by modern standards. It has a funny scipt and it is well acted by its little known cast. It is kind of hard boiled and cynical. It is a send up of American politics and society of the time when the film was made, and it gives some perspective for the present day.

Delightful Little Flick

[jimdex · 8/10 · 18 May 2019]

This is an ensemble B movie with a really good cast. A better director might have made it better. But it's still a gem. Enjoy it for what it is.

Strange

[Michael_Elliott · 13 March 2008]

Absolute Quiet (1936)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Semi-rip of The Petrified Forest has a plane full of people crash landing on the field of a man (Lionel Atwill) being held captive by a couple robbers. There are a few good laughs here but the direction is so strange that it's hard to really get caught up in the film. There's very little suspense in the movie but there are a couple nice laughs, which help the movie move along. Wallace Ford playing the tough guy was a bit hard to believe and led to several unintentional laughs. J. Carroll Naish and Irene Harvey turn in good performances as does Atwill.