BobW-7

This is the kind of film the Hays Office was established to prevent. Jimmy Cagney as a charming, likable con man. Adorable Joan Blondell in the bathtub. Glamourization of (still illegal) alcohol. Fraud, theft and assault all served up cool and bubbly as champagne. I loved it! If you ever wondered why Cagney became such a big star, just watch him in this early effort. He was truly one of the most magnetic personalities of early Hollywood. Turner Classic Movies print in pretty good shape, which can't be said of a lot of films of this vintage. Watch, enjoy!

Why is it that so many movies of this era start so promisingly and end so disappointingly? For 90 minutes I sat through this monochrome miasma on the strength of one scene in the first act, where the cast sits around a table, getting hammered and talking about their lives on this African rubber plantation, then finally pouring the fortunate soul who is going home onto the boat and sending him upriver. It was fun watching the oh-so-chipper new guy slowly deteriorate over time in the heat and ennui until he's in as bad shape as the last guy. But, oh my God, that awful third act. The end of this movie seemed tacked on, like the original screenwriter got bored and gave up, leaving the job of ending the movie to the typist. Oh, did I mention Hedy Lamarr? Beautifully dressed, made-up and lit. . . can't act her way out of a mosquito net. Of course, the lines she'd been given to deliver weren't exactly Shakespeare. I found myself thinking, if Tondelayo mentions Tondelayo in the third person one more time . . . well, the only thing I can recommend this movie for (besides Hedy's sexy costume) is the cinematography. Sometimes I think we've forgotten how to light people in the movies. The lighting in this film is gorgeous, sly and sensual. I'll stop now before I get into the whole great-white-father-civilizing-the-darkie subtext in this movie. Don't feel bad if you miss this one.