An unpretentious 'B' with the great John B in one of his few latter day leads. Considering the poor performances he was giving at this point (horrendously hammy in 3 Bulldog Drummond's or distant and uninvolved through much of Maytime) it's a pleasant surprise to see him deliver a controlled and interesting performance as the crafty Dr Tindal.
Though given star billing, Barrymore is frequently off screen whilst the film concentrates on a subplot of cop Bickford's on going run-ins with an annoying reporter. Whether this was through Paramount's distrust of Barrymore's poor memory and drinking or because of a deficient script isn't clear, but the result is the film plays like a prototype "Columbo", with the villain's identity known from the outset and the clues piling up to show how he did it.
As for John's performance, certainly it doesn't rank with his work in Topaze or Counsellor at Law, but though given little to do, the suavely murderous Dr Tindal holds our attention and seems more focused than any of his other work at this time. The best moment is when Tindal discovers his patient and accomplice, Jack Reed, plans to blackmail him. In one close up Barrymore convey's a chilling change of demeanour, as he resolves a course of treatment brother Lionel would never have taken in the Kildare movies....
Though given star billing, Barrymore is frequently off screen whilst the film concentrates on a subplot of cop Bickford's on going run-ins with an annoying reporter. Whether this was through Paramount's distrust of Barrymore's poor memory and drinking or because of a deficient script isn't clear, but the result is the film plays like a prototype "Columbo", with the villain's identity known from the outset and the clues piling up to show how he did it.
As for John's performance, certainly it doesn't rank with his work in Topaze or Counsellor at Law, but though given little to do, the suavely murderous Dr Tindal holds our attention and seems more focused than any of his other work at this time. The best moment is when Tindal discovers his patient and accomplice, Jack Reed, plans to blackmail him. In one close up Barrymore convey's a chilling change of demeanour, as he resolves a course of treatment brother Lionel would never have taken in the Kildare movies....