Inside the Lines
Inside the Lines | |
---|---|
DVD cover for home release of film | |
Directed by | Roy Pomeroy[1] |
Produced by |
William LeBaron Roy Pomeroy[1] |
Screenplay by |
John Farrow Ewart Adamson[2] |
Based on |
The play, Inside the Lines by Earl Derr Biggers[2] |
Starring |
Betty Compson Ralph Forbes Mischa Auer[3] |
Music by | Roy Webb |
Cinematography | Nicholas Musuraca[3] |
Edited by |
George Marsh Ann McKnight |
Production company | |
Distributed by | RKO Radio Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 72 minutes[1] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Inside the Lines is a 1930 American Pre-Code spy drama film starring Betty Compson, Ralph Forbes, and Mischa Auer. Directed by Roy Pomeroy (who also was the associate producer) from a screenplay by John Farrow and Ewart Adamson, which in turn was based on the 1915 Broadway play of the same name by Earl Derr Biggers. This version is a remake of the 1918 silent version, also with the same name. This film exists in the public domain after failure to renew the copyright after 27 years.
Plot
Jane Gershon is engaged to Eric Woodhouse, living in Germany prior to the onset of World War I. When the war breaks out, they are forced to separate, but are reunited months later in Gibraltar, at the British fortress there. Both are supposedly German spies with orders to destroy the British fleet, anchored in the harbor.
Not fully trusting either of them, the German government has sent another agent, the Hindu Amahdi, to ensure that their sabotage plans are carried out. Both Jane and Eric believe the sincerity of the other as a German agent. When it appears that Jane's attempt to destroy the fleet is uncovered, to save her, Eric takes the blame and seemingly commits suicide. However, when Ahmadi uncovers the truth that Jane is really a double agent for the British government, he attempts to go through with the sabotage. When he is about to kill Jane, Eric reappears and kills him. Jane discovers Eric is also a British double agent and they are happily reunited.
Cast
- Betty Compson - Jane Gershon
- Ralph Forbes - Eric Woodhouse
- Montagu Love - Governor of Gibraltar
- Mischa Auer - Amahdi
- Ivan F. Simpson - Capper (*billed Ivan Simpson)
- Betty Carter - Lady Crandall
- Evan Thomas - Major Bishop
- Wilhelm von Brincken - chief, Secret Service
(cast list is per AFI database)[2]
Notes
The play of the same name, on which this screenplay was based, was produced in 1915 at the Longacre Theatre.[5]
This film is a remake of the 1918 silent version, also titled Within the Lines, which was directed by David H. Hartford, and starred Lewis Stone and Marguerite Clayton, based on a screenplay by Monte M. Katterjohn. The silent version was produced by Delcah Photoplays, Inc. and Pyramid Film Corporation, and distributed by the World Film Company.[6]
In 1958, the film entered the public domain in the USA due to the copyright claimants failure to renew the copyright registration in the 28th year after publication.[7]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 "Inside the Lines: Technical Details". theiapolis.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2014. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 "Inside the Lines: Detail View". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
- 1 2 "Inside the Lines, Overview". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on July 3, 2014. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
- ↑ Jewell, Richard B.; Harbin, Vernon (1982). The RKO Story. New York: Arlington House. p. 28. ISBN 0-517-546566.
- ↑ "Inside the Lines". ibdb.com. Archived from the original on December 5, 2013. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
- ↑ "Inside the Lines: Detail View". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
- ↑ Pierce, David (June 2007). "Forgotten Faces: Why Some of Our Cinema Heritage Is Part of the Public Domain". Film History: An International Journal 19 (2): 125–43. doi:10.2979/FIL.2007.19.2.125. ISSN 0892-2160. OCLC 15122313. Retrieved 2012-01-05. See Note #60, pg. 143
External links
- Inside the Lines on YouTube
- Inside the Lines: details, TCM.com
- Inside the Lines at the Internet Movie Database
- Inside the Lines: details, Allmovie.com
- Inside the Lines available for free download at Internet Archive