Smartorhypo
Highly Overrated But Still Good
Ava-Grace Willis
Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.
Staci Frederick
Blistering performances.
GManfred
Thoroughly enjoyed this one which was even better due to the stellar presence of William Powell. Apart from the fact that he adds immeasurably to any film he's in, this one has an especially good plot with no lulls in the narrative. Here he is part con man, part ladies man and part quick-witted private eye., just the type of part Powell excels in.The film sports an excellent director in Michael Curtiz (10 years before "Casablanca"), who gets a lot of mileage out of a supporting cast of proven Hollywood veterans. The script is first class and the screenplay has enough twists and surprises to satisfy even the most jaded movie-goer. I also added an extra star
for William Powell's presence because he never disappoints.8/10 - the website no longer prints my start rating.
JohnHowardReid
Director: MICHAEL CURTIZ. Screenplay: Rian James. Story: Raoul Whitfield. Photography: Tony Gaudio. Film editors: George Amy, Harold McLernon. Art director: Jack Okey. Costumes: Orry-Kelly. Music composed by Bernhard Kaun, directed by Leo F. Forbstein. Associate producers: Tenny Wright, Hal B. Wallis. (Although he is credited in some movie books, and possibly even on IMDb, Wallis did not regard this film as one of HIS movies).Copyright 20 July 1933 by Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. Presented by Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. and the Vitaphone Corp. New York release at the Radio City Music Hall, 6 July 1933. 8 reels, 67 minutes.Television title: MAN KILLER.SYNOPSIS: A seedy private eye becomes involved with a lady gambler.COMMENT: A somewhat episodic plot is very stylishly tied together and tautly directed by Michael Curtiz. The movie has plenty of early film noir ambiance and a number of striking scenes in which Curtiz makes full use of some marvelously atmospheric sets. Gaudio's artful cinematography is also a major factor, as is Amy's judicious film editing and Kaun's menacing score.The acting is well-nigh perfect. Powell was born to play this type of role and he receives forceful assistance here from a classic roster of character artists, led by Ruth Donnelly. Arthur Hohl as usual is an absolute stand-out. As the mystery heroine, Margaret Lindsay provides a most attractive foil.One can only wonder why such a great piece of vintage entertainment is not better-known and why it doesn't command the sort of cult following that Powell's more or less contemporary "The Kennel Murder Case" (1933) and "Manhattan Melodrama" (1934) still enjoy today.
calvinnme
William Powell's stay at Warner Brothers was a short one - only a couple of years - but he hit the bullseye in every picture he did there. This film is one of them. Here William Powell plays Donald Free, a secret agent of sorts who gets caught in France with stolen documents. The agency he works for has already told him that if he is caught all knowledge of his action will be disavowed, so he is unsurprised when that is exactly what happens. For some strange reason, the French take Donald all the way to New York harbor before deciding to transfer him to another ship and send him right back to France. The only reason for all of this inefficiency can be as a plot device for Donald to make an easy escape by jumping overboard and swimming to shore, which he does.Donald is now home and at liberty, but that doesn't get you far in 1933 Depression era America. Without references he is unable to get a job as a detective for any police department or obtain a private detective license. But after pounding the pavement with no luck for months, Donald manages to partner up with a private detective firm on its last legs. The partner has the license but not much talent at detecting or discretion, and Donald has the talent and no license. Ruth Donnelly plays the firm's secretary with mouth and moxy to spare. They're doing OK and then a well-known gangster bankrolls the firm and floods the office with business. When that gangster wants a favor in return - the discrediting of a beautiful customer that his gambling joint owes tens of thousands of dollars to because he doesn't have the money to pay her when she finally decides to cash in her chips - things begin to get really interesting. You'll probably figure out what's going on even before Powell's character solves all of the mysteries for you, but here as in most of the early 30's Warner Brothers films, most of the fun is the journey not the destination. Highly recommended.
MartinHafer
The film begins with William Powell being convicted in a French court of espionage and he is deported back to America. However, the French reconsider and plan on returning him to France when Powell jumps overboard and swims for shore in New York. Once there, he has a devil of a time finding work since it is during the Depression and since his reputation was ruined over the conviction. Eventually, he does land on his feet when he partners up with a two-bit private detective with very questionable morals. Through Powell's business acumen and skills as a detective, the agency is able to grow and prosper. Unfortunately, his partner is even more shady and corrupt than he imagined--leading to a dandy climax.Over the years I have become a real fan of the films of William Powell--mostly because he was able to make his performances look so natural and relaxed. In this film, you have a somewhat ordinary plot that comes to life thanks to Powell. This mystery-action film isn't much like his later THIN MAN films, though it is still pretty exciting and well worth a look.
