Quinton McPherson Movies
- 1936
When a socialist barber inherits a royal title, he adapts his political opinions in this political and social satire. ~ All Movie Guide
Lightning steadfastly refused to strike twice for the director/actor team of Alexander Korda and Charles Laughton. Though the pair had scored an international success with the 1933 quasi-biopic The Private Life of Henry VIII, they couldn't make the magic happen again with 1936's Rembrandt. Laughton's performance is solid throughout, and Korda's recreation of Rembrandt's Holland is meticulous, but the film suffers from a lack of overall dramatic tension. Except for his artistic achievements and the deaths of his two wives, nothing really "happens" to Rembrandt--at least nothing as colorful as the escapades of Henry VIII. The best element of the film is the successful effort by cinematographer Georges Perinal to recreate the famous "Rembrandt lighting" effect in each scene. Laughton is given fine support by Elsa Lanchester (his real-life wife), and by legendary stage star Gertrude Lawrence in a rare film role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Laughton, Gertrude Lawrence, (more)
Dear old Tod Slaughter serves up another chop-licking melodrama with Murder in the Red Barn. Based on a barnstorming, fact-based American play, the film features the redoubtable Mr. Slaughter as Squire William Corder, potential defiler of the virtue of virginal Maria Marten (Sophia Stewart). When she refuses to let him have his way with her, Corder does away with the poor girl and hides her body in the red barn of the title. But the villain is -- curses! -- foiled when the girl's stalwart sweetheart uncovers the crime. Just in case anyone were to take this too seriously, the film opens with a master of ceremonies introducing all the characters, who take huge, ceremonial bows before plunging into the story. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tod Slaughter, Sophie Stewart, (more)
- 1936
Imagine a whole country where music is outlawed! Director Walter Forde and writer Marian Dix dreamed up such a horrendous state of affairs for Forbidden Music (original British title: Land Without Music). It seems that the citizens of the mythical duchy of Lucco spend so much time singing that they can't get their work done; therefore, the regent in charge, lovely duchess Diane Napier, decrees that her people will sing no more. Operatic revolutionary Richard Tauber changes the duchess' mind in romantic fashion--with the comic assistance of foreign correspondent Jimmy Durante, who seems ill at ease stalking about in this Ruritanian nonsense. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1936
In this comedy, a meek clerk suffers amnesia after he is involved in a train wreck. The accident also causes his personality to change drastically. Believing that he is the courageous explorer he told his son about at bedtime, he begins a string of daring stunts and rescues. Later he chronicles his adventures in a book which becomes a best-seller. When his memory at last returns, he finds that he has truly become an adventurous author. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1936
A butler (Claude Dampier) searches for missing heir (Billy Milton) who claims his inheritance and wins the love of a woman June Clyde. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1936
Annie Laurie bears little resemblance to the old Scottish ballad, but does serve as a suitable vehicle for Scots character actor Will Fyffe. Burr-accented Fyffe plays Will Laurie, a humble merchant who is the adoptive father of attractive Annie (Annie Laurie). She wants to escape her near-poverty environs and find success on the stage. Annie becomes a star dancer in London musical reviews, but fame means nothing without dead old Dad by her side. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Amazing Quest was the original British release title of the 1937 comedy Romance and Riches (aka Riches and Romance). Making a rare return trip to England, Cary Grant plays the heir to a huge fortune. Alas, Grant is miserable, because he's never worked for his money. Determined to prove his worth, Grant makes a wager than he can earn his keep for a full year without ever touching the family millions. He loses his bet when he must draw upon his money to wed poverty-stricken Mary Brian, the better to save her from an unhappy marriage of convenience. Still, his experiences among the working classes have left an indelible impression; turning his back on his "equals," Grant invites all of his newly acquired lowborn friends to his wedding reception. Like His Girl Friday, Penny Serenade, and Charade, Amazing Quest is one on the ever-growing list of Cary Grant films that have lapsed into public domain, and thus are more readily available than when first released. Amazing Quest was based on a novel by E. Phillips Oppenheim. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cary Grant, Mary Brian, (more)
- 1935
This musical features the BBC bandleader trying to deal with his musicians in the recording studio. Meanwhile, outside the studio, his music helps save a band in the jungle from cannibals, helps a group of mountain climbers get out of a foggy area, and starts and ends relationships. ~ Steve Huey, All Movie Guide
- 1935
Wealthy American Joe Martin (Eugene Pallette) purchases an ancient Scottish castle and then has it dismantled and transferred to his Florida estate where he plans to reconstruct the castle brick by brick. Martin is unaware that his new acquisition comes equipped with an 18th-century ghost, played by Robert Donat. As the spectre, who feels as though his honor has been besmirched, flits around haunting one and all, Martin's daughter Peggy (Jean Parker) carries on a romance with the ghost's descendant, also played by Donat. It is only natural that the "live" and "dead" Donat will become mixed up, and this comedy of errors dominates the final scenes of The Ghost Goes West. The film was the first English-language production of French director René Clair -- and almost the last, due to producer Alexander Korda's insistence upon tampering with the original concept as laid down by Clair and screenwriter Robert E. Sherwood. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Donat, Jean Parker, (more)
- 1934
In this mystery, a sculptor is convicted of murder after the body of his guardian is discovered. The artist's fiancee doesn't believe he is guilty and begins investigating. She goes to the deceased's nephew for help. He says he will, but only if she will marry him. Later she learns that he has been insanely obsessed with her and killed his uncle and framed the sculptor so he could have her for himself. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1934
In this crime drama, two gangs of criminals compete to find a cache of purloined jewels. Both gangs really want them and use all sorts of devious tricks to beat out their rivals. Eventually both converge at a creepy old mansion. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1934
Ex-con Carney manages to keep blackmailer's away from his daughter who never realizes who her hero is because Carney had been in prison since she was an infant. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1933
In this domestic comedy, a married couple gets a divorce and goes their separate ways. Several years pass and they run into each other. It doesn't take long before their love rekindles and they decide to marry again. It's about that time they discover that their divorce was never finalized. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1933
Anne One Hundred was adapted from Sewell Collins' stage play, which in turn was taken from Rescuing Anne, a novel by Edgar Franklin. Betty Stockfield plays Anne, a girl of modest means who suddenly inherits a soap factory. This gives her a leg-up in her battle with a rival over her boyfriend's attentions. The hero balks at being "kept" by a wealthy woman, but golden-hearted Anne wins out by proving that money really means nothing to her. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
