Une dépêche Reuter

The 'BIO PICTURE' was a staple of Warner Brothers (WB) from its inception. Now lets be clear about that, it does not mean historical accuracy. It was (and is) a form of entertainment that loosely uses real events and people and spins a story that was (and is) appropriate at the time of it's release. There is enough facts and truth in these productions to stimulate interest to those who wish to delve deeper. We suggest that A DISPATCH FROM REUTER'S may have a lot more in it then is shown on screen. For that you need to go to the library or catch something on one (1) of the educational channels.

What is shown though is very entertaining. Edward G. Robinson plays 'Julius Reuter' who created the first world wide information system. His performance like all those when he was interested in the role is credible and sincere. Edna Best plays his wife 'Ida' and also delivers in a way that is believable. The supporting cast of WB contract players of the time all do their job. Photography by James Wong Howe and musical score by Max Steiner is what you come to expect for such a production, professional. As well as direction by William Dieterle who was the WB's director of choice during that period for the 'BIO' picture.

The only fly in the ointment is the irritating performance of Eddie Albert's 'Max Wagner' as 'Reuter's' friend and irresponsible jerk. We will not catalog all 'Max's' shortcomings but lets just say this. Any normal business owner would have fired him or had him disappear by way of THE SOPRANOS! For some reason during the 30's and 40's this type of character was supposed to be endearing to the audience in a way that escapes us today. There is a parallel to this during that period known as the "idiot plot". A simple misunderstanding that if simply explained away would have solved everything in the first reel.

Other then that we endorse watching this film. If you can also catch DR. EHRLICH'S MAGIC BULLET, do so. Mr. Robinson also stars in that one (1) and the film is a stronger drama with a tighter plot. Rating for DR. EHRLICH'S MAGIC BULLET IMDb**********Ten (10).

Edward G. Robinson was a most interesting movie star in classic film history. Like Bogart, James Cagney, and Spencer Tracy, he was a character actor who became a leading man. That didn't and doesn't happen to many actors or actresses. Robinson could do anything - he could be mean, pathetic, a blowhard, a loser, hilarious, whatever the role called for. Along with his Warners colleague, Paul Muni, he did his share of biopics. "A Dispatch from Reuters" from 1940 is one.

Robinson plays Julius Reuter. Since this film is really about the news agency he founded, much of Reuter's life is left out. Of interest, he was a German Jew who moved to London and ultimately converted to Christianity (before marrying Ida, who was a Christian), taking the first name of Paul. He also became a naturalized British citizen and was named a Baron by Queen Victoria. He had three sons, and the last member of the Reuter family, the widow of one of his grandsons, died in 2009.

Anyway, to get back to the film - there was some dramatic license taken, but the basic story is accurate. Reuter did start out with carrier pigeons, and the film does follow the evolution of the agency accurately as far as his news beating the ships, etc.

Edward G. Robinson is excellent as Julius, and though it's unclear how much of a struggle the real Reuter had in getting clients, Robinson shows determination and ambition throughout the film. I have to agree with one of the reviewers on this site who thought the Eddie Albert character was too lazy to have continued to be employed. Albert is good, though, as is the rest of the cast -- Albert Basserman, Edna Best, Gene Lockhart, Nigel Bruce, Otto Kruger, and Montagu Love.

Entertaining film.

Of all the studios of the 1930s-40s, I think Warner Brothers did a particularly good job with biopics during this era. The films tended to get the facts pretty much correct and the stories also are exciting to watch. A few of these wonderful biopics are "The Story of Louis Pasteur", "Dr. Clitterhouse's Magic Bullet" and this film, "Dispatch from Reuters"...and they are well worth your time.

Julius Reuter (Edward G. Robinson) was the man for the creation of the international news service, Reuters. The story shows his company's evolution during the 19th century from a carrier pigeon service to a news agency supplying the world's newspapers with the facts.

Aside from Robinson NOT sporting the huge muttonchops that the real Reuter had, he did a marvelous job making the title character human AND extraordinary. Excellent direction, supporting actors and the overall polished look of the movie make it well worth your time.

Edward G. Robinson is a small, quiet man with a big dream: to make a huge world a little smaller by making the dissemination of news faster, first with pigeons, then with telegraphy, and always with honesty.

Once again, Robinson stars for director William Dieterle in one of Warner Brothers' movies about truth and freedom. While Jack Warner may have groaned that every time Paul Muni parted his beard it cost him a million dollars, these movies were popular and well regarded. Even today, we hear words uttered by mendacious and angry people arguing about "fake news" and "alternate facts", underling the last words in this movie, spoken by Robinson: "A censored press is the tool of a corrupt minority. A free press is the symbol of a free people. For truth is freedom. Without truth, there can only be slavery and degradation." As distressing as the truth may be, this is something I believe. With Edna Best, Eddie Alert, Albert Basserman, Gene Lockhart, and Nigel Bruce.

Enjoyable Warner Bros. biopic about Paul Julius Reuter, the man who built the famous Reuters news service. Edward G. Robinson players Reuter. The movie covers his story from when he was using carrier pigeons up through the use of the telegraph. As is often the case with these biopics, he faces hardships and doubt from critics but perseveres. It's all pretty formulaic, I admit, but also undeniably entertaining. I was never bored. Eddie G's backed up by a fine stable of character actors, including Gene Lockhart, Otto Kruger, Nigel Bruce, and Albert Bassermann. Edna Best is the love interest and Eddie Albert plays Robinson's assistant. A solid cast. The subject matter may not lend itself to the most exciting story but they do a surprisingly good job keeping it interesting.