PiraBit
if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.
Jemima
It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.
deltascorch90
This film is extraordinary. If you are drawn to it by either the names William Powell or Hedy Lamarr being attached to it, then you'll be pleased to know that the both of them give performances here that are of their respective bests. William Powell is the type of character here that everyone loves to see him as, and he very well conveys the distraught that his character goes through ... there are quite a few moments here of suspense that particularly kept my unblinking eyes glued to the screen!Hedy Lamarr isn't at all in one of her "stone face" roles here, or those in which she demonstrates little of acting ability I mean, and plays the "Myrna Loy" character in a way worthy of admiration (the true "ideal marriage" concept that Powell and Loy put together so well always). I'm not particularly well versed in mystery films otherwise to know how predictable the plot is, though I was kept guessing throughout and really found myself hooked. I think this is a fantastic collaboration and film altogether, and was pleased to see Felix Bressart working together with Hedy Lamarr again, in a truly comical role, after having appeared next to her already in Comrade X and Ziegfeld Girl. For fans of Lamarr and Powell this film cannot be more recommended!
lastliberal
While TCM showed this Movie on Basil Rathbone Day, he was not the featured character. It was William Powell of Thin Man fame that was central to the film, and who made it very enjoyable.Powell played a French diplomat, married to the absolutely lovely Hedy Lamarr.Rathbone and Claire Trevor, with help from Oscar nominee Margaret Wycherly (you will remember her as Sgt. York's mother) hatch a plot to blackmail Powell for a crime committed prior to his present memory when he had amnesia 1 years ago.As you would expect, there are some great plot twists in the last scene, and Powell and Lamarr can go off happily to his new post as Ambassador of Brazil. Lucky man, that Powell.
dougdoepke
Slickly done MGM programmer. It may not be a top-of-the-line production, but it still has the studio's signature polish and glamor. The premise is an intriguing one-- is successful diplomat Powell also a murderer with a bad case of memory. With luscious wife La Marr and an ascending career, he's got a long way to fall if he is. Powell is his usual urbane self, while La Marr and Trevor get to play dress-up, big time, while Rathbone gets a break from Sherlock by playing a rather nasty villain. There's nothing special here, just an entertaining diversion with a rather unsurprising ending. For those interested in European types, this is a good opportunity to catch them under a single roof, as it were-- especially Felix Bressart, whose pixilated professor lifts the sometimes stolid proceedings. Aesthetically, there's one really striking composition of black and white photography. Powell's on his way to the river to end it all. But next to the coursing dark waters separated by a zigzagging wall is a shimmering cobblestone boulevard lit by three foggy street lamps. It's an uncommon depth of field with subtly contrasting shades of black and gray. All in all, it's a real grabber, and demonstrates vividly those values that have been lost in the wholesale move to Technicolor.
toonjamie
I'd not seen Hedy Lamarr before, I don't think. Wow. She'd definitely be a stunner whatever era she lived in.(very slight spoiler here) Plus, an early example of opening scene with woman outrageously flirting with 'stranger' - who of course turns out to be her husband.
