IMDb RATING
6.7/10
1.7K
YOUR RATING
An amnesiac French diplomat is blackmailed for crimes that he committed before he lost his memory.An amnesiac French diplomat is blackmailed for crimes that he committed before he lost his memory.An amnesiac French diplomat is blackmailed for crimes that he committed before he lost his memory.
Enrique Acosta
- Associate Judge
- (uncredited)
George Barrows
- Lecture Guest
- (uncredited)
Robert Bradford
- Whistling Solo of 'Auprès de ma blonde'
- (voice)
- (uncredited)
Francis X. Bushman Jr.
- Giant Policeman
- (uncredited)
George Calliga
- Lecture Guest
- (uncredited)
Jack Chefe
- Reporter
- (uncredited)
Frank Conroy
- Defense Attorney
- (uncredited)
Armand Cortes
- Clerk
- (uncredited)
Guy D'Ennery
- Reporter
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis film was a hit at the box office, earning MGM a profit of $739,000 (equivalent to about $13.5M in 2022) according to studio records.
- GoofsAlthough the story takes place in 1935, all of the women's fashions and hairstyles are strictly in the 1942 mode, which was significantly different from 1935.
- Quotes
Dr. Andre Tessier: I always turn to this book. Older than all the others - by thousands of years. Ah, here we are. Proverbs, twenty-third chapter, seventh verse, "as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." "As a man thinketh in his heart." That's all that matters. Solomon was a very wise man, David. Even if he did have a thousand wives.
David Talbot: That's just it, Andre. I have only one.
- Crazy creditsAfter 'The End' AMERICA NEEDS YOUR MONEY BUY WAR BONDS AND STAMPS AT THIS THEATER
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Youngest Profession (1943)
- Soundtracks'Til You Return
Music by Arthur Schwartz
Lyrics by Howard Dietz
[Instrumental version played during the opening credits, then later sung by Michelle Allaine (Claire Trevor - uncredited) at the nightclub (probably dubbed)]
Featured review
The Cast Makes it Worth Viewing
Crossroads (1942)
*** (out of 4)
Great performances highlight this thriller about a diplomat (William Powell) who is quickly rising in power and has recently been married (Hedy Lamarr). His life turns upside down when a defendant in a trial accuses him of being a criminal, which he might be but he wouldn't remember since he suffered amnesia for some early years of his life. Things take a turn for the worse when a man (Basil Rathbone) shows up claiming to be his former partner and he wants cash to keep quiet. There are a few minor problems with the screenplay including Rathbone's character being able to predict what would eventually become of Powell but outside of that this is a pretty good little thriller that contains some great performances, nice direction and some early touches of shadows that make this very much like a noir (but before the term came to be). I think the most impressive thing here are the performances as they're all extremely good but you can also tell that the actors are having fun playing off one another. Powell is his usual charming self as he perfectly handles the more dramatic parts but he of course adds all sorts of light humor. Lamarr doesn't get as much to do as the wife but she still gets a couple good scenes early on. Rathbone was one of the best when it came to playing villains and he adds another good character to his resume. His performance is right on the mark but the way he and Powell act off one another is the most entertaining thing and it's what keeps the film moving. We also have Claire Trevor playing Rathbone's assistant and she too gets some wonderful moments with Powell. The rest of the supporting cast includes H.B. Warner, Margaret Wycherly and Felix Bressart. The noir genre didn't really get started until a few years later but many of those touches can be found here. You have the wonderful use of darkness and shadows, the femme fetale and of course the good guy behind held captive by thugs. I really enjoyed the visuals here and the way director Conway used the shadows to build up some nice atmosphere and this here really helped push the film over the edge. Add the atmosphere with the performances and you've got a pretty good little gem that's well worth watching.
*** (out of 4)
Great performances highlight this thriller about a diplomat (William Powell) who is quickly rising in power and has recently been married (Hedy Lamarr). His life turns upside down when a defendant in a trial accuses him of being a criminal, which he might be but he wouldn't remember since he suffered amnesia for some early years of his life. Things take a turn for the worse when a man (Basil Rathbone) shows up claiming to be his former partner and he wants cash to keep quiet. There are a few minor problems with the screenplay including Rathbone's character being able to predict what would eventually become of Powell but outside of that this is a pretty good little thriller that contains some great performances, nice direction and some early touches of shadows that make this very much like a noir (but before the term came to be). I think the most impressive thing here are the performances as they're all extremely good but you can also tell that the actors are having fun playing off one another. Powell is his usual charming self as he perfectly handles the more dramatic parts but he of course adds all sorts of light humor. Lamarr doesn't get as much to do as the wife but she still gets a couple good scenes early on. Rathbone was one of the best when it came to playing villains and he adds another good character to his resume. His performance is right on the mark but the way he and Powell act off one another is the most entertaining thing and it's what keeps the film moving. We also have Claire Trevor playing Rathbone's assistant and she too gets some wonderful moments with Powell. The rest of the supporting cast includes H.B. Warner, Margaret Wycherly and Felix Bressart. The noir genre didn't really get started until a few years later but many of those touches can be found here. You have the wonderful use of darkness and shadows, the femme fetale and of course the good guy behind held captive by thugs. I really enjoyed the visuals here and the way director Conway used the shadows to build up some nice atmosphere and this here really helped push the film over the edge. Add the atmosphere with the performances and you've got a pretty good little gem that's well worth watching.
helpful•83
- Michael_Elliott
- Aug 15, 2010
- How long is Crossroads?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- The Man from Martinique
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $846,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 23 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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