Ralph Roberts Movies
- 1942
Released worldwide by 20th Century Fox, Carol Reed's The Young Mr. Pitt is a static but sincere filmed biography of 19th century British prime minister William Pitt Jr., here played by Robert Donat. Appointed to his office at the tender age of 24, Mr. Pitt spends most of his time in Parliament alerting his countrymen of the dangers posed by France's Emperor Napoleon (Herbert Lom, in his first English-speaking role). The Frank Launder-Sidney Gilliat screenplay works overtime drawing parallels between the Pitt-Napoleon conflict and the present crisis involving Great Britain and Nazi Germany. Various historical personages are impersonated by the likes of Phyllis Calvert, John Mills, and Robert Morley, with Morley stealing the show hands down. Like its thematic "twin" Penn of Pennsylvania, Young Mr. Pitt is lavishly produced, but suffers from pedantic speechifying and substandard special effects. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Donat, Robert Morley, (more)
- 1939
Maxwell Archer, Detective was adapted from Hugh Clevely's novel Meet Maxwell Archer. John Loder plays the famed ficitional private detective whose greatest pleasure in life is to second guess Scotland Yard. Superintendent Gordon (Athole Stewart) calls Archer in to solve an apparently unsolveable case. Ingredients in the stew include a sinister father-and-son duo who may know more than they let on. Loder's leading lady in Leueen McGrath, later famous as the second wife of American playwright George S. Kaufman. Filmed in 1939, Maxwell Archer, Detective was released in the US in 1942, to capitalize on star John Loder's Hollywood popularity. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Loder, Leucen MacGrath, (more)
- 1937
In this British thriller, a mild-mannered bank clerk has a sort of breakdown, gets tired of seeing other people always get the money, and robs the bank. He then sets up an elaborate scheme whereby it looks as if he felt so much remorse at his actions that he has ended his life by jumping overboard on an ocean liner. Unfortunately, while on board, a ship's steward finds his pre-written note, gets rid of it and steals the money. Later the steward is killed. Now the clerk is in real trouble until he meets a beautiful woman and tells her the whole sordid story. She, and a detective help him prove that he did not kill the steward. The real murderer is found, and both he and the clerk are imprisoned. While doing his time, the clerk is sustained by the knowledge that the beauty waits for him outside. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1936
In this comedy, a philandering playboy tires of the fast lane and decides to marry his current girl friend. At the reception, his best friend begins regaling the girl with stories of her new husband's romantic exploits. The bride becomes terribly upset, causing her groom to whisk her out and begin their honeymoon. Things don't get any calmer as they run in to a number of strange characters. The best friend's wife, who recently left him, is among them. Meanwhile, the poor bride has difficulty deciding whether or not she should stay married to the playboy. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1935
In this comedy a boy defies his mother and leaves military school. The mother is angry and heartbroken as she has spent almost all she has in the hopes that he will pursue a military career. With the little she has left over, she has his sister, who dreams of being a nurse, open a hat shop. More trouble ensues when the girl's fiance is lured away by a seductive French girl. Suddenly, her no-good brother reappears, steals the heart of the Parisian, and is redeemed. Happiness ensues all around. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
