Director: JOHN FARROW. Screenplay: Roy Chanslor. Story: Marie Baumer, Houston Branch. Photography: Arthur Todd. Film editor: Terry Morse. Art director: Carl Jules Weyl. Music composed by Howard Jackson, directed by Leo F. Forbstein. Dialogue director: Jo Graham. Unit manager: Lee Hugunin. Assistant director: Carroll Sax. Uncredited producer: Bryan Foy.
Copyright 19 February 1937 by Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. A First National picture. No recorded New York opening. U.S. release: 4 April 1937. 6 reels. 58 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Unjustly accused of murder, an American flees to the island of Caribo where he tries to avoid getting involved in gun-running for local revolutionaries.
VIEWER'S GUIDE: Alan Baxter's ultra-realistic portrayal of cowardice and treachery, plus a forceful firing squad sequence, may disturb children.
COMMENT: Definitely a minor work, but this Farrow film has its moments. Aside from the suspenseful firing squad episodes which are imaginatively staged and edited, the direction is fairly routine, though some of the action spots pack plenty of punch and Farrow has drawn some excellent performances, particularly from Alan Baxter as a double-crossing villain, the attractive June Travis as a spirited heroine, Veda Ann Borg as the two-timing Rita, Carlos De Valdez as a gentlemanly traitor, John Alexander as a put-upon waiter and Alec Harford as the loyal Limey.
As the chief villain, blustering Norman Willis is okay (though we love the way he wears his hat), whilst Dick Purcell makes a reasonably serviceable adventurer. A pity someone more charismatic than Victor Varconi was not cast in the key role of Colonel Gomez and that Margaret Irving seems somewhat uncomfortable as Mother Haines, - she is obviously too young for the role.
By second-string "B" levels, production values are considerably more than adequate. Todd's sharp cinematography is a major asset.
Copyright 19 February 1937 by Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. A First National picture. No recorded New York opening. U.S. release: 4 April 1937. 6 reels. 58 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Unjustly accused of murder, an American flees to the island of Caribo where he tries to avoid getting involved in gun-running for local revolutionaries.
VIEWER'S GUIDE: Alan Baxter's ultra-realistic portrayal of cowardice and treachery, plus a forceful firing squad sequence, may disturb children.
COMMENT: Definitely a minor work, but this Farrow film has its moments. Aside from the suspenseful firing squad episodes which are imaginatively staged and edited, the direction is fairly routine, though some of the action spots pack plenty of punch and Farrow has drawn some excellent performances, particularly from Alan Baxter as a double-crossing villain, the attractive June Travis as a spirited heroine, Veda Ann Borg as the two-timing Rita, Carlos De Valdez as a gentlemanly traitor, John Alexander as a put-upon waiter and Alec Harford as the loyal Limey.
As the chief villain, blustering Norman Willis is okay (though we love the way he wears his hat), whilst Dick Purcell makes a reasonably serviceable adventurer. A pity someone more charismatic than Victor Varconi was not cast in the key role of Colonel Gomez and that Margaret Irving seems somewhat uncomfortable as Mother Haines, - she is obviously too young for the role.
By second-string "B" levels, production values are considerably more than adequate. Todd's sharp cinematography is a major asset.