My favorite year for movies is 1932, with consistently high quality from the major studios and so many classics, including my all-time favorite comedy "This Is the Night". What a treasure to find this Warner Brothers film made in England, an unsung little gem.
Isobel Elsom stars as a very sympathetic mother figure, her success and decline mirroring the wonderful formula of so many WB movies of the time, especially Edgar G. Robinson vehicles. The supporting performances are first-rate, especially Margot Grahame as the "bad daughter", belting out several songs wonderfully with direct-sound recording, Ivor Barnard perfect as the always loyal platonic friend throughout Isobel's travails, and a bit overshadowed, Moira Lynd as the good daughter.
The movie really packs a wallop in its final reel, as fate moves its huge hand and the plot twists are piled on fast and furiously by director Wiliam McGann -breathlessly leading to at least three exciting climaxes in succession. Like the famous 1929 talkie from Paramount of "The Letter" starring Jeanne Eagels, "Illegal" ends at a peak moment, no denouement or corny coda included - my favorite way to finish a movie!
Isobel Elsom stars as a very sympathetic mother figure, her success and decline mirroring the wonderful formula of so many WB movies of the time, especially Edgar G. Robinson vehicles. The supporting performances are first-rate, especially Margot Grahame as the "bad daughter", belting out several songs wonderfully with direct-sound recording, Ivor Barnard perfect as the always loyal platonic friend throughout Isobel's travails, and a bit overshadowed, Moira Lynd as the good daughter.
The movie really packs a wallop in its final reel, as fate moves its huge hand and the plot twists are piled on fast and furiously by director Wiliam McGann -breathlessly leading to at least three exciting climaxes in succession. Like the famous 1929 talkie from Paramount of "The Letter" starring Jeanne Eagels, "Illegal" ends at a peak moment, no denouement or corny coda included - my favorite way to finish a movie!