Espionnage

One of the forgotten yet highly entertaining actors of the 30s and 40s was Edmund Lowe. While he wasn't among the more handsome leading men, his easy style and erudite persona made for some wonderful films--even if he is somewhat forgotten today. "Espionage" is one of his better films--even if it wasn't intended as a prestige film. Lowe and Madge Evans both play reporters from rival newspapers who are chasing a famous munitions supplier, Kronsky (Paul Lukas)--trying to get a story. Yet, somehow, neither knows that the other is a reporter! The world THINKS something serious is afoot--such as a war, and the pair end up posing as husband and wife aboard Kronsky's train. While they manage to ingratiate themselves to Kronsky and his girlfriend, a serious hiccup comes into their pursuit when an unknown assassin tosses a bomb at Kronsky. In the confusion, they think Lowe and Evans are responsible--leading to a crazy foray through Switzerland. I think the film slows down a bit here--becoming a bit silly. But, overall, who cares? While the plot did get pretty silly, somehow Lowe and Evans make it all work. Their on screen relationship works quite well and the film left me wanting more. Fun and enjoyable--what more do you want from a movie?

An European munitions magnate has disappeared and various governments are alarmed. Reporters Kenneth Stevens and Patricia Booth from different newspapers board a train after getting the same tip. They join forces to pose as a married couple to track down the elusive magnate.

I don't know these actors but the lead couple has some good combative banter. It would be better if they are long time rivals and have some history together. This pairing could have had some legs. The moustache reveal is such a ridiculous move that it's actually funny. The movie gets sillier and sillier. The story has a few bumps and has trouble staying on track. It's less about the plot and more about the fun chemistry.

MGM did not produce B movies. They produced quality movies full of stars.

Mind you, occasionally, some oddball picture did escape, like MY DEAR MISS ALDRICH, and this one, which plays like a Columbia Pictures thriller written by some one who had been reading Graham Greene and didn't take any of it seriously. Then, in typical MGM fashion, they cast it perfectly, with Edmund Lowe, always willing to play a matinée idol, and Madge Evans, who was happy to get the work. Then they cast the minor roles with comedians and told off Ray June to photograph it, who produced some astonishing proto-noir effects using, it would seem, baby spots to light the actors and leave the sets dark.

The result is a hoot and not something you'd expect from MGM. Take a look.

Espionage was more about two people (Edmund Lowe and Madge Evans) posing as a married couple than it was actual espionage. Evans is a reporter who steals her boss' passport so she can go to Europe and get a big story; Lowe is a writer sent by an editor for the same story.

There wasn't much to this. I wasn't familiar with Madge Evans - she reminded me a little of Irene Dunne, and she played her part well. Ketti Gallian was a stunning French actress who didn't make it in Hollywood.

Paul Lukas is the weapons manufacturer who is the object of the story - everyone winds up on a train, as Lowe and Evans attempt to find out Lukas' next move. But somehow that all gets lost amidst Lowe's violin playing, his disguises, knocks on the head, and Evans throwing him out of her compartment.

It was all okay but when I watch a film called Espionage, I want to see espionage. This was more of a rom-com.

I love this movie. I just caught it on TCM today and what a treat. Madge Evans and Edmund Lowe are reporters on a train following a munitions tycoon. The reasons for this are fairly thin, as is the resolution to the plot. But the movie's strength is in its fast pace and the chemistry between the two leads. When I first realized Lowe would be the leading man I prepared myself for disappointment. He's not exactly Cary Grant to look at. Evans is beautiful, of course. So I was worried this would be one of those old films with a beautiful young woman and a gross older man where the spark is just not there. These movies littered the 1930s and, more often than not, are duds. But don't worry the chemistry is there between these two leads. They have a lot of fun with the roles and it shows. It's fast, light, and fun with lots of great banter. Madge Evans, who I have seen before in a couple of roles, has never looked lovelier than here. There's also a great supporting cast, headed by Paul Lukas as the tycoon they're after. Overall I think it's a hidden gem and I recommend you catch it next time it's on.