Mystery Woman

Rod La Rocque is striped of his military rank and sent to Devil's Island for stealing military secrets. His wife, Mona Barrie, does not believe him guilty. She quickly settles on John Halliday as the traitor, and takes the same ship as he. It's quickly established she is right, and he is smuggling those papers to New York to sell to others. She hopes to get close enough to grab them. She seems to be doing a great job. However, Gilbert Roland is also trying to steal those papers, when he's not busy pursuing the lovely lady.

This proceeds and a rapid pace. That's not surprising, given it's directed by Eugene Forde, better remembered for his B and serial work than for excellence. Still, with the capable cast, he's able to move along quickly, even though it appears that it's been trimmed a trifle too much by editors Duncan Cramer and Lewis Creber. With Mischa Auer, Billy Bevan, and George Barraud.

The beginning of this film was almost laughable to me, like an odd mix of propaganda and a spoof on romance movies mixed together. However, to my surprise, I really quite enjoyed everything that followed, that is, until the ending...

If you enjoy early films that are on the slower and quieter side, but still have a steady pace, Mystery Woman does carry that vibe rather well. In spite of the serious nature of the plot, and the sneaking so expected wherever espionage is concerned, you can relax with this one for the most part.

Aside from the introduction, including some comments between villains that do not give the viewer the benefit of the doubt when it comes to having some kind of intelligence, the dialogue is serviceable and even sometimes witty.

If the beginning were the only downside of the film, I would have gladly watched this again, but the ending really did leave me on a sour note. Avoiding potentially spoiling the story, it just felt like an abrupt and cheap solution to preserve morality and crown a hero, though the real hero remains unknown to all but the viewer and our heroine. I cannot believe the characters portrayed to be so without self-control that such an ending was needed. And again, the propagandic tone hits here... In hindsight, the ending is much the same as the beginning, albeit far less laughable.

I'll now give some extra thoughts for those familiar with some of the actors featured in Mystery Woman.

Fans of Rod La Rocque will be disappointed here; seemed as though he was on the screen for maybe about five minutes at the most, and I'm sad to say, only during the weakest moments. It very much felt like he was aware of just how weak those moments were.

Anyone who is fond of Mischa Auer's light and comical roles will see him playing an entirely different character. He does his job well, but considering all the personality he had to offer us, it seems a shame his part wasn't given more charisma. I could definitely see him playing an eerily charming villain, but here, he's simply just a villain.

Aside from the opening of the movie, which really wouldn't have been saved by any actor or actress, I thought Mona Barrie was lovely. A real gentlewoman, and certainly a highlight. The subtle changes in her expressions were believable and handled with care.

Gilbert Roland's character annoyed me at first, starting as a persistent wannabe charmer who won't take no for an answer, but I found he did develop into something more, and grew on me as the film progressed.

John Halliday was convincingly dangerous. Somewhat light on material to work with here, but still managed to simultaneously convey a more sensitive side, perhaps even vulnerability in his looks, his pauses, etc.

I would have given this 5/10 stars for the massively unfortunate introduction and conclusion, but for the bulk of the film being enjoyable, for the artful care given the presentation, and for the players clearly doing their best to entertain us in spite of its lesser moments, I think we can afford a star more.