The Night Angel

What a movie! I watched it because I heard this was the worst film of Fredric March's career. I am inclined to agree, and I feel I am qualified to make a judgement as I've seen about three-fourths of his films. As I will expound below, I was not at all impressed with this film, and if you want to see a good Fredric March, try The Dark Angel, Smilin' Through, A Star Is Born, Best Years of Our Lives... almost any of his movies except this one! It was the first Fred flick which I didn't mind all that much that I was dozing off and missing some of it.

The only moment in this film worth even a laugh (if you can stand it almost to the end) is when Biezl and Fred's character are fighting over Nancy Carroll. Biezl's a strong man from some act, and he flips Fred over the bed, patent leather shoes, spats, and all.

If I just translate the characters of this obscure film into English in the form of a cast list, you'll know all there is to know about this tale, and won't need to bother seeing the film.

Nancy Carroll (Yula).............. The Ham (says it all)

Alan Hale (Biezl)................. The Cheese (again, says it all)

Alison Skipworth (the Countess)... The Tomato (shiny on the outside but seedy and mooshy within)

Katherine Emmett (Mrs Berkem)..... The Lettuce (wilted and lifeless)

Phoebe Foster (Theresa)........... The Hardboiled Egg (too complicated to explain)

and...

drumroll...

Fredric March (Rudek Berkem)...... The Dressing on an otherwise unpalatable dish.

A true chef of the Paramount cinema kitchen could not have made head or tails of this horrible mishmash. It is best to simply put it in the dustbin, forget it existed and start fresh.