Million Dollar Weekend

30s screen idol Gene Raymond's sole directing credit and one of his last leading roles is a nifty thriller which sees him play a trusted bank employee who, uncomfortably aware that life is passing him by, steals $1m in bonds from his employer. The robbery is simple, but reaching his ultimate destination of Shanghai proves less straightforward when he finds himself sat opposite possible femme fatale Osa Massen (credited as Stephanie Paull), who's being blackmailed by fellow passenger Francis Lederer. The routine plot is energised by a series of twists and is further bolstered by the interplay between the three leads, with Lederer standing out as a pleasingly slimy antagonist.

Gene Raymond was a huge star in the 1930s. His lovely singing voice and pretty face meant stardom and a long marriage to a big leading lady, Jeanette MacDonald. However, by the 1940s, his pretty-boy looks were not quite so evident and film roles dried up. Here in 1948, he's far from pretty, but proves in "Million Dollar Weekend" that he was quite talented, as aside from starring in the film, he directed and co-wrote the screenplay! Overall, this B-movie is quite good.

It begins with Nicholas Lawrence at work as a stock broker. However, instead of just going home that Friday afternoon, Nick steals a million dollars worth of his companies money and bonds. His plan is to head to China and live the high life. However, on the way, he gets pulled into a young lady's problems, Cynthia (Osa Massen) is being pursued and blackmailed by a slime-bag, Alan (Frances Lederer). Alan allegedly saw her kill her husband and vows to take her for everything AND have her for his own. She is appalled and seeks help from a stranger, Nick. What's going to happen next? See the film.

The film has a few logical problems. Why would Nick CARE if a woman was in trouble? After all he IS an embezzler! Why would he leave a briefcase filled with a million sitting in his room where someone could steal it? And, why would the film co-star Osa Massen? Massen had very little charisma and really was very poor in the film. It wasn't just her odd accent--after all, Lederer also had a strong accent yet he was wonderful in the film. HOWEVER, and this is fortunate, Raymond's strong performance and the plot were able to overcome much of this. So, despite the film being in the public domain, it IS quite watchable and interesting.

Raymond directs, writes, and stars in this film and and does the first two capably. While he's shown in other work that he can act, I feel he plays it too cool here and unfortunately comes off as rather stiff. Similarly with Massen, she seems a bit detached. Lederer however is quite good as the greasy bad guy. Million Dollar Weekend isn't anything to get too excited about but still, was at times entertaining and worth checking out if you're curious.

This got better as it went along. Very enjoyable film.

Gene Raymond is director, writer, and lead actor in this chase action-thriller from 1948. (One of three movies he made that year.) Not sure if his stiff, wooden performance is intentional, but it's quite a change from his earlier roles, where happy-go-lucky boy meets girl, they have some silly misunderstanding, then it's resolved. In Million Dollar Weekend, Nicholas Lawrence (Raymond) is absconding with the company funds, and gets involved with the pretty girl Cynthia Strong (Osa Massen), who thinks she is also running away from her problems. Both of their plans for flight are sidetracked, and they agree to try to solve their own problems back home. Some scenes are a little weak, such as the car chase (filmed slow, then sped up ??) and a fight in the hotel hall. Interloper Alan Marker gives the strongest performance of the ensemble. Black and white flick. Not bad, no plot holes. Would be interesting to know if the filming locations (Hawaii and San Francisco) were authentic or backdrops.