L'homme qui fait sauter la banque

Ronald Colman could have read the 'phone book and made it sound interesting. He was always good value in his pictures, so it was no wonder I looked forward to watching this, and ninety minutes later could say I enjoyed it immensely.

The title would indicate that the premise for the film was rather sleight - if it were based on the number put over by Charles Coburn on the Music Hall stage, but it does go a lot further, for you see, Mr. Colman is a Russian nobleman living in Paris. Like many of his peers, he is forced into a low-income existence after the Bolsheviks forced them all into exile. He drives taxis. Naturally these expatriates congregate at the Cafe Russe where apart from being waiters, cooks and bottle washers, they can remember the good old days.

We change scenes and Mr. Colman is now in Monte Carlo. He wins millions of francs at the casino and cleans them out. This is where Nigel Bruce comes in. He must have formerly been Mr. Colman's valet before getting a job at the Cafe, and now that Mr. Colman is back in the dough, he has his old job back. They make a good team bouncing lines off each other.

Then we are in a train. Perchance, Mr. Colman briefly meets Joan Bennett as she sits opposite him for breakfast in the dining car. He falls in love with her. Who wouldn't? But she is travelling with Colin Clive.

Later we learn that Ms. Bennett is in the employ of the casino as is also Mr. Clive - who we find is her brother. The casino wants their money back and Ms. Bennett has been sent as bait.

It is altogether a wonderful and elegant romp - for most of the time we are living the high life, staying in posh hotels, travelling first class and rarely out of evening dress.

Does Mr. Colman stick with his fortune? Does he go back to the casino and win another or lose the lot? Does he find out about the ruse put on him? Does he end up settling down with the lovely Ms. Bennett? Well, now that I have whetted your appetite to have these questions answered, you will have to take a peek at the picture yourself. You won't be disappointed.