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The World Gone Mad
USA 1933
produced by Phil Goldstone, Larry Darmour (executive) for Majestic
directed by Christy Cabanne
starring Pat O'Brien, Evelyn Brent, Neil Hamilton, Mary Brian, Louis Calhern, J. Carrol Naish, Buster Phelps, Richard Tucker, John St.Polis, Geneva Mitchell, Wallis Clark, Huntley Gordon, Inez Courtney, Chester Gan, Max Davidson, Alexander Pollard, Syd Saylor
written by Edward T. Lowe jr
review by Mike Haberfelner
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Available on DVD! To buy, click on link(s) below and help keep this site afloat (commissions earned) |
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A district attorney (Wallis Clark) is found dead in the appartment of
his alleged mistress - something which his two best friends, reporter Andy
(Pat O'Brien) and his successor as DA Houston (Neil Hamilton), find sounds
a bit too much like a setup since they know he wasn't running around with
other women. So they start investigating, each in his own way, but
everything leads to the company of Cromwell (John St Polis), which seems
to be involved in crooked dealings. This is especially troubling for
Houston, since he is engaged to Cromwell's daughter (Mary Brian). Still,
attempts are made on both Houston and Andy's lives, so they seem to be on
the right track. Of course, they are right, though Cromwell isn't
directly involved but his business partner Gaines (Richard Tucker), who is
in cahoots with gangster Bruno (Louis Calhern) and his hitman Ramon
(J.Carrol Naish). Eventually, Andy figures the best way to get some
information out of the crooked circle is through Bruno's moll Carlotta
(Evelyn Brent) ... not knowing that she was actually set up as bait by
Ramon, and suddenly the trap springs on him, and Bruno, Ramon and Carlotta
not force him to lure Houston into a trap ... but Houston is much too
clever and brings the police, who shoot Ramon and arrest the rest. And
what about Gaines?, you may ask. Well, after Cromwell has found out his
partner has tricked him, he pretended to try and make a getaway with him,
then drove the car with both of them in it over a cliff, to save at least
his honour. Rather dull low budget gangster movie that's a bit
too heavy on dialogue and never manages to build up enough tension to keep
the thing going. At least Pat O'Brien is an ok leading man and some of the
supporting players are good, but their efforts are also undermined by bad
pacing and a very uninspired direction. Rather a waste of time, actually.
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