George Spelvin Movies
In this adaptation of the novel by Joseph Conrad, Mr. Verloc (Bob Hoskins) runs a shabby corner shop in London that serves as a front for his more profitable sideline, selling pornography. However, selling sex photos is not Verloc's main order of business; he is a member of an anarchist organization, and he holds meetings in his apartment where he and his fellows plot the violent overthrow of the government. Verloc does not actually share the beliefs of his fellows -- he is in fact a double agent working with the Russians to sabotage the actions of revolutionary exiles while passing information about the anarchists along to Police Inspector Heat (Jim Broadbent). Verloc is married to Winnie (Patricia Arquette), a pretty but dour young woman who doesn't care for her husband and has married only in hopes that she would be able to afford a decent home for her brother Stevie (Christian Bale), who is mentally retarded. Inspector Heat informs Verloc that the anarchists must commit some sort of major violent action soon if the police are ever going to put any of them behind bars, so Verloc persuades the Professor (Robin Williams) to help him plant some bombs, which leads to tragedy for everyone involved. Robin Williams appears unbilled in The Secret Agent; in some listings, his role is credited to George Spelvin. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Hoskins, Patricia Arquette, (more)
- 1988
Produced and written by John Greyson, Urinal uses its fantasy trappings to offer a searing indictment against intolerance. The story was inspired by police persecution of homosexuals in Canadian restrooms. A urinal becomes a gathering place for an otherworldly group seeking retribution and justice. Depicted are the ghosts of such famous gay, lesbian and bisexual artists as Sergei Eisenstein (played by Paul Bettis), Frida Kahlo (Olivia Rojas), Yukio Mishima (David Gonzales) and Langston Hughes (George Spelvin); Oscar Wilde is represented by his literary creation Dorian Gray (Lance Elg). The unsettling nature of Urinal is emphasized by Greyson's stylistic decision to utilize a documentary approach to his material. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Bettis, Marc Gomes, (more)
This lurid meat-clever murder movie tells the story of a former mental patient accused of hacking up beautiful women, all of whom were his former lovers. The promos of the film were said to be more inspired than the picture itself. Filmmakers glorified in the gory scenes saying the film was filmed in "Violent Vision"; while television commercials offered $1,000 to the family's of viewers who dropped dead of fright, as well as claiming that many scenes were too violent to show on the commercials. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1936
Suzy is the film in which Cary Grant, overcome by the beauty and vivacity of Jean Harlow, sings her a love ballad! This lighthearted moment aside, Suzy, adapted from a novel by Herbert Gorman is a standard-issue love triangle, set against the tapestry of World War I. Harlow plays a London showgirl, married to Irish engineer Franchot Tone. When foreign spy Benita Hume shoots Tone, mistaking him as a threat against her mission, the terrified Harlow flees into the night, certain that she will be accused of her husband's murder. After the war breaks out, Harlow, believing herself a widow, falls in love with handsome aviator Cary Grant. She marries the well-bred but irresponsible young ace, only to discover that Tone has not been killed after all! This being an idealized World War I film, somebody is going to end up sacrificing his/her life on behalf of somebody else, but we're not about to reveal any more. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Harlow, Franchot Tone, (more)
- 1930
Based on Leo Tolstoy's The Living Corpse, this film was originally scheduled as John Gilbert's first talkie, but it was held from release until distribution of his second, One Glorious Night. In the story, the Enoch Arden-style hero, long-presumed dead, commits suicide rather than ruin the happiness of his newly-remarried wife. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Gilbert, Conrad Nagel, (more)
- 1926
In this adaptation of a play by A. E. Thomas, Richard Barthelmess stars as Prince Rupert of Koronia, who becomes tired of palace life and yearns to be among the common folk. On a visit to America, Rupert gets his wish, and even goes so far as to fall in love with down-to-earth Linda Lee Stafford (Lois Moran). Unfortunately, Rupert's brother, the Crown Prince (Harry Short) dies, and our hero, next in line for the throne, is called back to his own country. Rupert is finally freed to wed his beloved Linda when the Crown Prince's wife, who's been pregnant for ever so long, gives birth to the new regent of Karonia. Cast in the role of the King was one "George Spelvin," which is the nom de stage usually assumed by an actor whenever he doesn't wish to identify himself by his own name. Further down the cast list is a real-life "royal," Prince Rokneddine, playing a private secretary; also featured in a secondary role is Geoffrey Kerr, who played Prince Rupert in the original stage version of Just Suppose. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Barthelmess, Lois Moran, (more)
