The Rocks of Valpre

THE ROCKS OF VALPRE is truly one of the most boring films I've ever had the misfortune to watch. It's based on a novel by Ethel M. Dell that had already been adapted for the screen in 1919 and it's fair to say that pretty much everyone connected with the film has descended into (rightful?) obscurity these days. It's worth noting that H. Fowler Mear was a busy screenwriter in the 1930s, churning out scripts for over a hundred similar B-movies, so it's no wonder that some were duds. However, old-time director Henry Edwards really should have known better.

On paper, this sounds interesting: a captain is framed for murder by a rival and sent to prison for ten years. However, he discovers that his former fiancée is in danger, so he decides to rescue her in any way he can. Unfortunately for the viewer, the thriller aspects of the storyline are kept to a bare minimum, and instead the script ladles on the romance with a stultifying pace that will have even the most alert viewers nodding in their seats. And don't get me started on the awful singing scenes as the main character serenades his lover - they're appalling! The only actor I recognised was Michael Shepley (TANGLED EVIDENCE), but he's given little to do here, and the film as a whole is a massive chore to sit through

Twickenham,who made quota quickest for distribution by RKO Radio Pictures normally made crime films and musical comedy.For some reason in this instance they chose a rather turgid drama with some music thrown in.The presence of music is no surprise given the fact that he was a musical star of the thirties.In a fairly small role is the indefatigable Athens Sayler who actually appeared on the stage of the National Theatre aged 101.Another familiar face from films of this period is Michael Shelley.According to the cast list a young Jean Kent is in there somewhere.It has to be said that this is not one of the better films to be produced by Julius Hagen but given that he was paid a £1 per foot and that RKO were merely circumventing the provisions of the quota act I doubt that either of them cared too much.