If you're really interested in the history of Lloyd's of London, the famous insurance market that traces its origin back to the 1600s, you might be riveted by this movie. However, it's highly fictionalized and most of the plot is given to the love story between Tyrone Power and Madeleine Carroll. For me, there was enough history in the plot to confuse me. All in all, I found it too boring to keep my attention, which is why I think history buffs will probably enjoy it more than I did.
Freddie Bartholomew headlines the movie, but, as he was in hot demand in 1936 and filmed two other movies that year, he's only in the first twenty minutes of Lloyds of London. Those are the best scenes of the film, as he has a very sweet friendship with Douglas Scott. They witness a pirate attack but before they can relay the message to the famous coffee house in London, they're separated. Douglas goes to sea and Freddie walks-as he did the previous year in David Copperfield-hundreds of miles until he reaches his destination. Freddie gets intrigued by Lloyds of London and wants to become a member of the great elite London society, but then he's out of the movie. Tyrone Power takes over for the rest of the movie, in blond waves, false eyelashes, and plucked eyebrows. His close-ups almost make you burst out in giggles at the thought that there was such a man who looked so perfect. He's quite distracting, and he might have been the reason why I wasn't able to pay attention to the rest of the plot.
He works at Lloyds, serving C. Aubrey Smith, George Sanders, Guy Standing, E.E. Clive, and others, but the high brow patrons don't respect him as a messenger and waiter. Ty falls in love with George's wife Madeleine Carroll, but as you might suspect, George plays a total villain and won't let her go without a smarmy fight.
If you do decide to rent this historical drama, you'll get to see twenty minutes of adorable Freddie Bartholomew, and you'll probably shed a couple of tears during the scene in which he has to say goodbye to his friend Douglas Scott. You can also find Una O'Connor, Miles Mander, and Virginia Field in the supporting cast.
Freddie Bartholomew headlines the movie, but, as he was in hot demand in 1936 and filmed two other movies that year, he's only in the first twenty minutes of Lloyds of London. Those are the best scenes of the film, as he has a very sweet friendship with Douglas Scott. They witness a pirate attack but before they can relay the message to the famous coffee house in London, they're separated. Douglas goes to sea and Freddie walks-as he did the previous year in David Copperfield-hundreds of miles until he reaches his destination. Freddie gets intrigued by Lloyds of London and wants to become a member of the great elite London society, but then he's out of the movie. Tyrone Power takes over for the rest of the movie, in blond waves, false eyelashes, and plucked eyebrows. His close-ups almost make you burst out in giggles at the thought that there was such a man who looked so perfect. He's quite distracting, and he might have been the reason why I wasn't able to pay attention to the rest of the plot.
He works at Lloyds, serving C. Aubrey Smith, George Sanders, Guy Standing, E.E. Clive, and others, but the high brow patrons don't respect him as a messenger and waiter. Ty falls in love with George's wife Madeleine Carroll, but as you might suspect, George plays a total villain and won't let her go without a smarmy fight.
If you do decide to rent this historical drama, you'll get to see twenty minutes of adorable Freddie Bartholomew, and you'll probably shed a couple of tears during the scene in which he has to say goodbye to his friend Douglas Scott. You can also find Una O'Connor, Miles Mander, and Virginia Field in the supporting cast.