This is a very interesting film for me, because usually when there is an original and a remake, I (or almost anyone) will like one considerably more than the other. This film is a very close remake of "One Way Passage". This one starring George Brent and Merle Oberon, and "One Way Passage" starring William Powell and Kay Francis. Though 8 years apart, and the very early 1930s and 1940 were very different in terms of the quality of film-making, I like both films fairly equally. In each, the key stars are equally ingratiating. And, this film is a very good example of the power of story telling. After all, the Brent character is a convicted murderer (we never learn the details), while the pursuing policeman (Pat O'Brien) is the good guy. Yet, we want the convicted murderer to escape and carry on his romance with the equally doomed Merle Oberon.
George Brent is, in my view, a much underrated actor. When you think of his many fine performances -- particularly opposite Bette Davis -- his star needs to be polished a bit. He is perfect here -- suave while being doomed to being hanged. What a wonderful romantic lead! Merle Oberon is an interesting actress. There are performances where she is memorable, and a few that I wasn't much impressed with. She is excellent here -- plays a very nice balance between a doomed heart patient and a woman wants to live life to its fullest. Incidentally, elsewhere on this movie's IMDb page it mentions that the film is inaccurate in that angina pectoris has been treated using nitroglycerin for many years before this and the previous version of the story were made. The symptoms are treated with nitroglycerin, but that drug does not cure it, and the condition is merely the symptoms of underlying heart disease...further, there is stable and unstable angina, the latter of which is far more serious.
Pat O'Brien, a very "old school" actor, is quite good here. He plays his role as policeman with enough dedication and empathy for the criminal to make it credible.
In supporting roles, Geraldine Fitzgerald is good as a newlywed fellow passenger and friend of Merle Oberon's character (she played a similar role in Bette Davis' "Dark Victory"). Binnie Barnes is interesting as a female con artist. Eric Blore brings some humor as a victim of almost everyone's con games. Henry O'Neill is a character actor I always enjoy, this time in the small role as the ship's doctor. George Reeves (Superman) is on hand in a small role.
Frank McHugh...when I was a kid I enjoyed him when I would watch old movies. But as I've matured, I have tired of his constant roles as a drunk. Perhaps he was a one-trick pony. It is interesting that he played the same part in both film versions of this story.
As to the plot, it's good, although nowadays we would question the realness of the policeman giving his prisoner the run of the ship. And of course, the big question at the end of the film is -- the broken glasses -- done by the two leads...or their ghosts.
Though very sentimental, highly recommended, and this (and the older version) are on my DVD shelf.
George Brent is, in my view, a much underrated actor. When you think of his many fine performances -- particularly opposite Bette Davis -- his star needs to be polished a bit. He is perfect here -- suave while being doomed to being hanged. What a wonderful romantic lead! Merle Oberon is an interesting actress. There are performances where she is memorable, and a few that I wasn't much impressed with. She is excellent here -- plays a very nice balance between a doomed heart patient and a woman wants to live life to its fullest. Incidentally, elsewhere on this movie's IMDb page it mentions that the film is inaccurate in that angina pectoris has been treated using nitroglycerin for many years before this and the previous version of the story were made. The symptoms are treated with nitroglycerin, but that drug does not cure it, and the condition is merely the symptoms of underlying heart disease...further, there is stable and unstable angina, the latter of which is far more serious.
Pat O'Brien, a very "old school" actor, is quite good here. He plays his role as policeman with enough dedication and empathy for the criminal to make it credible.
In supporting roles, Geraldine Fitzgerald is good as a newlywed fellow passenger and friend of Merle Oberon's character (she played a similar role in Bette Davis' "Dark Victory"). Binnie Barnes is interesting as a female con artist. Eric Blore brings some humor as a victim of almost everyone's con games. Henry O'Neill is a character actor I always enjoy, this time in the small role as the ship's doctor. George Reeves (Superman) is on hand in a small role.
Frank McHugh...when I was a kid I enjoyed him when I would watch old movies. But as I've matured, I have tired of his constant roles as a drunk. Perhaps he was a one-trick pony. It is interesting that he played the same part in both film versions of this story.
As to the plot, it's good, although nowadays we would question the realness of the policeman giving his prisoner the run of the ship. And of course, the big question at the end of the film is -- the broken glasses -- done by the two leads...or their ghosts.
Though very sentimental, highly recommended, and this (and the older version) are on my DVD shelf.