None of the previous reviewers seem to have noticed the real similarity between 6 Hours and The Walking Dead (Boris Karloff 1936). Both Baxter and Karloff are innocents who are killed, resuscitated in a modernistic laboratory, know things no human should know, revenge their deaths, and die peacefully. The major difference is that 6 Hours is played for romance, while Walking Dead, for horror. Not to say 6 Hours doesn't have horror touches, but these are subservient to the story. This is a first class production, with the best revival chamber of the 1930s. The actors are excellent. The story is slow and the cinematography tries too hard to be spiritualistic, instead becoming difficult to see. I wouldn't be surprised if there were a direct link between the screen plays of the two films.
12 Reviews
Auf Wiedersehen
richardchatten14 July 2018
Although the credits acknowledge an original story by Gordon Morris & Morton Barteau called 'Auf Wiedersehen', the footsteps in which this film seems most strongly to be following is David Belasco's hit Broadway fantasy of 1911, 'The Return of Peter Grimm' (filmed twice in the silent era and again in 1935 with Lionel Barrymore); especially as screenwriter Bradley Page had also scripted the 1926 version with Alec B. Francis directed by Victor Schertzinger.
Despite the hourglass & pendulum accompanying the opening titles, the talky plot belies the race against the clock suggested by the title, and a religious element increasingly intrudes as the film progresses. It is vaguely implied that Warner Baxter has now seen the afterlife, from which he has returned temporarily with clairvoyant powers (since he knows in advance why John Boles arrives late) and a new-found belief in God.
Despite the hourglass & pendulum accompanying the opening titles, the talky plot belies the race against the clock suggested by the title, and a religious element increasingly intrudes as the film progresses. It is vaguely implied that Warner Baxter has now seen the afterlife, from which he has returned temporarily with clairvoyant powers (since he knows in advance why John Boles arrives late) and a new-found belief in God.
MORE LIKE A 6.5
adverts7 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
In some ways I agree with reviewer RickeyMooney who wrote that the last 1/3 rd of the film lapses into a pro-religious theme and if you're not a believer...you'll be annoyed/disappointed. I'm not religious and I accept this kid of thing in older films...but Warner Baxter's "conversion" IS a little hard to stomach. Partly because of the way the plays it. His all-knowing persona is a little silly (and he's not GOD for heaven's' sake!). Also - and this is just as important - the idea that he would push Miriam Baxter to John Boles is ridiculous. She doesn't love him. That's not a selfless act - it's a dumb act.
It's a good film otherwise. Well shot with a good script. Miriam Baxter is the standout for me.
It's a good film otherwise. Well shot with a good script. Miriam Baxter is the standout for me.
Brief review
boris-264 November 1998
Movies this good shouldn't be so rare. Warner Baxter plays a slain diplomat who is bought back to life via a scientific experiment. Trouble is, he only has six hours before the effects wears off, and he's dead for good. In that time he searches for his killer. Eerie, slow film has the feel of "Dracula" (1931). Also, a neat peek at world politics well before WW2 and the UN. Best moment: Scene where Baxter spends time with troubled prostitute at "Carnival Of Venus". Director William Dieterle's misty, creepy visuals makes up for sometimes gabby script.
Intriguing B-movie with higher aspirations
gridoon202418 May 2023
"6 Hours To Live" has a terrific, original premise which borrows elements from the previous year's "Frankenstein" but also predates "D. O. A" by almost 20 years (!): scientist brings murdered man back to life, but he is still doomed: he has only six hours to live, in which time he must find his own murderer. It's not as exciting as it might have been, but it does try to dabble in several different fields: political drama, romantic melodrama, sci-fi, murder mystery (the least satisfying part), existentialism, religious parable, etc. It's an ambitious B-movie. The final shot is great. **1/2 out of 4.
Starts badly then gets even worse
1930s_Time_Machine30 October 2023
Fox Films and also William Dieterle films are so inconsistent that they can either be awesome or awful..... this falls into the awful category. Plot, script and acting all complete to be the film's worst aspect.
The winner is however the plot - it sounds intriguing but its execution is dismally disappointing. The premise of someone coming back to life to catch their killer could be - and subsequently has been, a really exciting plot device but not in here! I thought at first the reason this seemed so dreadful was because we've all seen it done better elsewhere but decided that's not why - it's dreadful just because it's dreadful.
The story begins with some grand international trade conference to combat the world depression which Warner Baxter wants to veto. We don't know why he's literally the only man in the world who wants to stop this, or why only he knows best. He's also involved in the dullest relationship with the dullest woman in the world which you couldn't care less about.
After he's assassinated and brought back to life the picture changes from dull to faux-religious (and also suddenly develops a score). As Mr Baxter benevolently walks through the town giving money to the poor and reforming prostitutes like Jesus in a tuxedo, the whole tone of the picture changes to a preachy 'God is good, science is bad' kind of thing. He's been to heaven so now walks in the path of light but it's all so vague, weak and wishy-washy that it just doesn't work. Considering how 'talky' this is, it says very little. It's got no real message like in FRANKENSTEIN or even the weird GABRIEL OVEF THE WHITEHOUSE from 1933 which successfully did put over a moralistic narrative.
Even when it should be at its most exciting Mr Dieterle creates no tension at all. He is usually excellent at bringing his characters to life but in this he seems barely able to get half of them to act like actual people. Only Warner Baxter seems real, the rest are lifeless and lack depth of personality. It does however look good and is well photographed and on that aspect alone, William Dieterle's artistry is still evident....but that's not enough.
This team of artists and professionals should have made this so much better but as it stands it's endurance rather than entertainment.
The winner is however the plot - it sounds intriguing but its execution is dismally disappointing. The premise of someone coming back to life to catch their killer could be - and subsequently has been, a really exciting plot device but not in here! I thought at first the reason this seemed so dreadful was because we've all seen it done better elsewhere but decided that's not why - it's dreadful just because it's dreadful.
The story begins with some grand international trade conference to combat the world depression which Warner Baxter wants to veto. We don't know why he's literally the only man in the world who wants to stop this, or why only he knows best. He's also involved in the dullest relationship with the dullest woman in the world which you couldn't care less about.
After he's assassinated and brought back to life the picture changes from dull to faux-religious (and also suddenly develops a score). As Mr Baxter benevolently walks through the town giving money to the poor and reforming prostitutes like Jesus in a tuxedo, the whole tone of the picture changes to a preachy 'God is good, science is bad' kind of thing. He's been to heaven so now walks in the path of light but it's all so vague, weak and wishy-washy that it just doesn't work. Considering how 'talky' this is, it says very little. It's got no real message like in FRANKENSTEIN or even the weird GABRIEL OVEF THE WHITEHOUSE from 1933 which successfully did put over a moralistic narrative.
Even when it should be at its most exciting Mr Dieterle creates no tension at all. He is usually excellent at bringing his characters to life but in this he seems barely able to get half of them to act like actual people. Only Warner Baxter seems real, the rest are lifeless and lack depth of personality. It does however look good and is well photographed and on that aspect alone, William Dieterle's artistry is still evident....but that's not enough.
This team of artists and professionals should have made this so much better but as it stands it's endurance rather than entertainment.
What a great precode horror film!
AlsExGal4 July 2010
Like the other reviewer said, films this good shouldn't be so rarely seen and hard to find, that is, if you've even heard of it in the first place. This is definitely in the category of a precode as issues such as life, death, and life after death could not be explored so boldly after the code came into effect in 1934.
This rare Fox horror film is set at an international peace conference in which Captain. Paul Onslow (Warner Baxter), representative from a small fictitious country, is the sole dissenter in an agreement involving all the European countries. The decision must be unanimous or the agreement will not be in force. Onslow feels the agreement will be a disaster for his country and is unmoved by any argument or threat for that matter. Early that afternoon the conference adjourns and is to reconvene that night at 11PM for a final vote.
Onslow has an eventful day. He has an attempt made on his life, he falls in love - or I should say he realizes he has always been in love - with a long-time acquaintance and becomes engaged, an odd little man with a mysterious machine moves into the home of his host, and finally - he is strangled to death by an unknown assailant a little after 6PM in his room.
His body is discovered by a small group of close friends minutes after his death. As luck would have it the odd little man I mentioned earlier is a scientist whose mysterious machine can bring any life form back from the dead, but only for six hours. He demonstrates first on a rabbit, and then Onslow is brought back.
If you're expecting the shocked grunting character from 1936's "Walking Dead" you've expected wrong. Onslow is as articulate and dapper as he was before his death. However, like Karloff's character, he knows all that was going on while he was dead - including the fact that he only has six hours until he dies again - and seems to have the answers to the universe. However, he refuses to tell the few people who know what happened who killed him. Instead he jumps into his car and heads into the night, promising to confront his murderer personally, and also make that final vote at the conference. Remember now, nobody knows he is "dead" except the few who discovered his body, and they're keeping what happened to themselves. Along the way Onslow runs into three people he saw on the street that day and manages to comfort them with his personal knowledge of loved ones lost and a new empathy, although he was a pretty nice guy to begin with.
If the film has one real flaw it is that the revealing of the murderer is rather anticlimactic. There were so many possible suspects and the actual culprit is so nondescript that I had to go back to the beginning of the film to realize who the killer was.
Particularly moving is how Onslow handles the issue of his fiancée, who doesn't know what has happened to him. Also used to good effect is the rabbit that was brought back fifteen minutes before Onslow. It acts as a living hour glass, always letting Onslow know just how much time he has left. Highly recommended.
This rare Fox horror film is set at an international peace conference in which Captain. Paul Onslow (Warner Baxter), representative from a small fictitious country, is the sole dissenter in an agreement involving all the European countries. The decision must be unanimous or the agreement will not be in force. Onslow feels the agreement will be a disaster for his country and is unmoved by any argument or threat for that matter. Early that afternoon the conference adjourns and is to reconvene that night at 11PM for a final vote.
Onslow has an eventful day. He has an attempt made on his life, he falls in love - or I should say he realizes he has always been in love - with a long-time acquaintance and becomes engaged, an odd little man with a mysterious machine moves into the home of his host, and finally - he is strangled to death by an unknown assailant a little after 6PM in his room.
His body is discovered by a small group of close friends minutes after his death. As luck would have it the odd little man I mentioned earlier is a scientist whose mysterious machine can bring any life form back from the dead, but only for six hours. He demonstrates first on a rabbit, and then Onslow is brought back.
If you're expecting the shocked grunting character from 1936's "Walking Dead" you've expected wrong. Onslow is as articulate and dapper as he was before his death. However, like Karloff's character, he knows all that was going on while he was dead - including the fact that he only has six hours until he dies again - and seems to have the answers to the universe. However, he refuses to tell the few people who know what happened who killed him. Instead he jumps into his car and heads into the night, promising to confront his murderer personally, and also make that final vote at the conference. Remember now, nobody knows he is "dead" except the few who discovered his body, and they're keeping what happened to themselves. Along the way Onslow runs into three people he saw on the street that day and manages to comfort them with his personal knowledge of loved ones lost and a new empathy, although he was a pretty nice guy to begin with.
If the film has one real flaw it is that the revealing of the murderer is rather anticlimactic. There were so many possible suspects and the actual culprit is so nondescript that I had to go back to the beginning of the film to realize who the killer was.
Particularly moving is how Onslow handles the issue of his fiancée, who doesn't know what has happened to him. Also used to good effect is the rabbit that was brought back fifteen minutes before Onslow. It acts as a living hour glass, always letting Onslow know just how much time he has left. Highly recommended.
Starts as a thriller, ends as a religious tract
RickeyMooney18 August 2021
This first third of this film is a political thriller/romance that anticipates some of Alfred Hitchcock's work. The second third switches gears to a mad scientist/sci-fi mode, with the requisite flashing lights and bolts of electricity that may have excited audiences in 1931 but may seem cliched and overlong to today's crowd. Then it switches gears again and the final third is basically a commercial for religion. This is great if you believe that what we do in our actual lives doesn't matter because things will be so much nicer after we're dead. Some might say that a work of fiction does not count as evidence of a theory but some people feel differently.
So if this last part reaffirms your beliefs, you're likely to be charmed and delighted. If it doesn't you may feel you're being subjected to a long and unasked-for sermon. But even then you might find it an interesting curiosity, and it's certainly well acted and directed despite moments of overly stage-y dialogue.
So if this last part reaffirms your beliefs, you're likely to be charmed and delighted. If it doesn't you may feel you're being subjected to a long and unasked-for sermon. But even then you might find it an interesting curiosity, and it's certainly well acted and directed despite moments of overly stage-y dialogue.
Why isn't this better known?
dbborroughs24 October 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Warner Baxter plays a diplomat who is blocking a treaty that will mean war and all sorts of nastiness. His opponents want him out of the way so they kill him. Unfortunately a scientist has the ability to bring back the dead for 6 hours and he brings back Baxter who lives life to the fullest while trying to stop the bad guys.
Good little scifi film about what it means to be alive and and other notions. I love how this film is about way more than just the the main plot. There are all these little ideas bouncing around that are nicely refreshing to see. Its a smart little film that seems lost to the ages, which is sad since it's a neat little film.
This is a film to search out.
Good little scifi film about what it means to be alive and and other notions. I love how this film is about way more than just the the main plot. There are all these little ideas bouncing around that are nicely refreshing to see. Its a smart little film that seems lost to the ages, which is sad since it's a neat little film.
This is a film to search out.
Such an Elegant Film
kidboots1 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Fox was the one Hollywood studio that truly embraced the German
expressionism of "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari", "Metropolis" etc and
by 1932 many of their films still had a European look.
A beautiful film with a very elegant look, it is part romance/sci-fi/ drama/fantasy - even a touch of Ruitanian romance with the hero excelerating events by taking a stand for his little principality of Sylvarna. The setting is a Geneva world peace conference with Captain Paul Onslow (Warner Baxter) the lone holdout to signing a pledge which would see his little country crushed under the weight of bigger nations. He has already been receiving death threats. Meanwhile Val (Miriam Jordan) a Baroness has become infatuated and intrigued with Paul, even though her old faithful friend Carl (John Boles) is supportive but sceptical. Also arriving at the house is a friend of the father's (Halliwell Hobbes), a quirky inventor (George Marion) who brings along his machine which can bring back the dead - it is worked seamlessly into the plot, for whatever reason!! Aha - Onslow is assassinated and he is hastened to the machine which unfortunately can only revive the person or animal for six hours. Warner Baxter comes into his own, he sometimes has a quiet desperation with his acting("42nd Street") and the scenes where Paul, knowing not only does he only have six hours left but is given clarity enough to realise that he was just carried away with Val's adoration and gently tries to persuade her that she and Carl are meant for each other is very poignant. Miriam Jordan was luminous as Val - she was a British actress and this was her first film. She was only in a handful, usually opposite top stars ie Warner Baxter, Clive Brook and was always praised by the critics but she eventually returned to England. She gives a restrained but intense performance. Cinematographer John Seitz who put his stamp on films like "The Big Clock" creates a scene almost out of "Spione" as Onslow driving his car at breakneck speed crashes into a store front, people murmer "only the devil could escape that", he establishes that for 6 hours he is immortal.
He now begins an allegorical walk through the town encountering people he was brusque with earlier in the day and with his new spiritual insight is able to comfort the little old lady (who else but Beryl Mercer) by telling her she will soon see her son, the little flower seller (Marilyn Harris, the little girl from "Frankenstein") and the beautiful Irene Ware, almost unrecognisable as a prostitute who Paul helps to a better life. With a stunning beginning of a mob raging through the town the film ends (and has a lot in common with "Death Takes a Holiday" of only a couple of years later) with Val watching a bunny hoping around on the grass who soon after dies. Paul, realising he will only have a few minutes left, sends her to Carl - a dreamy, poignant finale.
Highly Recommended
A beautiful film with a very elegant look, it is part romance/sci-fi/ drama/fantasy - even a touch of Ruitanian romance with the hero excelerating events by taking a stand for his little principality of Sylvarna. The setting is a Geneva world peace conference with Captain Paul Onslow (Warner Baxter) the lone holdout to signing a pledge which would see his little country crushed under the weight of bigger nations. He has already been receiving death threats. Meanwhile Val (Miriam Jordan) a Baroness has become infatuated and intrigued with Paul, even though her old faithful friend Carl (John Boles) is supportive but sceptical. Also arriving at the house is a friend of the father's (Halliwell Hobbes), a quirky inventor (George Marion) who brings along his machine which can bring back the dead - it is worked seamlessly into the plot, for whatever reason!! Aha - Onslow is assassinated and he is hastened to the machine which unfortunately can only revive the person or animal for six hours. Warner Baxter comes into his own, he sometimes has a quiet desperation with his acting("42nd Street") and the scenes where Paul, knowing not only does he only have six hours left but is given clarity enough to realise that he was just carried away with Val's adoration and gently tries to persuade her that she and Carl are meant for each other is very poignant. Miriam Jordan was luminous as Val - she was a British actress and this was her first film. She was only in a handful, usually opposite top stars ie Warner Baxter, Clive Brook and was always praised by the critics but she eventually returned to England. She gives a restrained but intense performance. Cinematographer John Seitz who put his stamp on films like "The Big Clock" creates a scene almost out of "Spione" as Onslow driving his car at breakneck speed crashes into a store front, people murmer "only the devil could escape that", he establishes that for 6 hours he is immortal.
He now begins an allegorical walk through the town encountering people he was brusque with earlier in the day and with his new spiritual insight is able to comfort the little old lady (who else but Beryl Mercer) by telling her she will soon see her son, the little flower seller (Marilyn Harris, the little girl from "Frankenstein") and the beautiful Irene Ware, almost unrecognisable as a prostitute who Paul helps to a better life. With a stunning beginning of a mob raging through the town the film ends (and has a lot in common with "Death Takes a Holiday" of only a couple of years later) with Val watching a bunny hoping around on the grass who soon after dies. Paul, realising he will only have a few minutes left, sends her to Carl - a dreamy, poignant finale.
Highly Recommended
He died twice.
mark.waltz12 April 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Warner Baxter and John Boles star in this brilliant drama about a murdered man who is brought back to life so he can identify his killer. It is a combination of light sci-fi, mystery and even a few elements of Film Noir with him walking into a ballroom, literally back from the dead hours later after being strangled, and several obvious suspects looking on in shock. He then goes into a conference room where as a government agent, he has the final vote, and shocks several more, then confronts his killer. It really could have been called "I Died Twice", because he has a speech about humanity should not reach into areas of unknown like this since he knows that in only a few hours, he will suffer the same pain again he suffered while being killed. The only difference is that his return from the dead changed his views of how he should have lived his life and alters his vote in a world conference on the future of finance and trade. Baxter played the lead, with Boles as his best friend. They were both stars, but Baxter was definitely considered "box office", and they easily could have exchanged roles.
Miriam Jordan plays Baxter's longtime fiancee who has discovered that she is in love with Boles. This sets up complications between the two friends, although it is made clear that Boles is not a suspect in Baxter's murder. His character is far too noble to have even contemplated such a vile act simply because he loved Jordan. Veteran character actress Beryl Mercer is memorable in a small role as one of her typical mother roles (as she had played in "Outward Bound" and "All Quiet on the Western Front", confronting Baxter over the evils of war, having lost her son in battle, and not wanting other mothers to suffer as she has. Baxter visits her after coming back in a church to comfort her, and while she instantly recognizes him as the government official, she also sees peace in his eyes, and the lighting around him indicates that he's become a sort of angel during his brief time after dying. The one weakness in the cast is Jordan who is so one dimensionally noble that she becomes quite cloying. Even with his noble loyalty to his friend, Boles never crosses the line into a saintly cliche.
Definitely worthy of a Best Picture nomination for that year, this is one of those films that has unfortunately passed into obscurity because it doesn't have any major stars who have become legends, as well as the fact that Fox films are the most obscure of the pre-code films. The photography becomes dreamlike at times, especially in a scene where Baxter is driving on a curvy highway and crashes into a building, causing two observers to comment that only the devil could survive such a crash. Scenes of the doctor responsible for bringing Baxter back first experimenting on a dead rabbit might be a bit disturbing, as is Baxter and Jordan's encounter with the rabbit later on who goes from healthy to ailing and quickly succumbs. Baxter's final speech to George F. Marion, the scientist with the strange life returning contraption, is quite profound, and provides the film with a strong moral.
Miriam Jordan plays Baxter's longtime fiancee who has discovered that she is in love with Boles. This sets up complications between the two friends, although it is made clear that Boles is not a suspect in Baxter's murder. His character is far too noble to have even contemplated such a vile act simply because he loved Jordan. Veteran character actress Beryl Mercer is memorable in a small role as one of her typical mother roles (as she had played in "Outward Bound" and "All Quiet on the Western Front", confronting Baxter over the evils of war, having lost her son in battle, and not wanting other mothers to suffer as she has. Baxter visits her after coming back in a church to comfort her, and while she instantly recognizes him as the government official, she also sees peace in his eyes, and the lighting around him indicates that he's become a sort of angel during his brief time after dying. The one weakness in the cast is Jordan who is so one dimensionally noble that she becomes quite cloying. Even with his noble loyalty to his friend, Boles never crosses the line into a saintly cliche.
Definitely worthy of a Best Picture nomination for that year, this is one of those films that has unfortunately passed into obscurity because it doesn't have any major stars who have become legends, as well as the fact that Fox films are the most obscure of the pre-code films. The photography becomes dreamlike at times, especially in a scene where Baxter is driving on a curvy highway and crashes into a building, causing two observers to comment that only the devil could survive such a crash. Scenes of the doctor responsible for bringing Baxter back first experimenting on a dead rabbit might be a bit disturbing, as is Baxter and Jordan's encounter with the rabbit later on who goes from healthy to ailing and quickly succumbs. Baxter's final speech to George F. Marion, the scientist with the strange life returning contraption, is quite profound, and provides the film with a strong moral.
Above average thriller.
searchanddestroy-129 January 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I have never seen this William Dieterle's film before. It is not a rare gem, although, but there are so many items to discover. I already more or less knew the topic, and I thought of another story very close to this one. And I am amazed that no user has pointed this out. Why the hell no one has thought of DOA? Both 49 and 88 films, I mean?
Even a eight years old boy would see it. I won't repeat the story line, the other users have done it very well. These two features are classics of the noir film industry, especially the Rudolph mate's one, starring Edmond O'Brien - the actor I would have seen characterizing Richard Nixon in a film, just because of his resemblance.
But that's another story...
Even a eight years old boy would see it. I won't repeat the story line, the other users have done it very well. These two features are classics of the noir film industry, especially the Rudolph mate's one, starring Edmond O'Brien - the actor I would have seen characterizing Richard Nixon in a film, just because of his resemblance.
But that's another story...
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