Double Danger (1938 film)

Double Danger
Directed by Lew Landers
Produced by Maury M. Cohen
Screenplay by Arthur T. Horman
J. Robert Bren
Story by Arthur T. Horman
Starring Preston Foster
Whitney Bourne
Cinematography Frank Redman
Edited by Desmond Marquette
Production
company
Release date
  • January 28, 1938 (1938-01-28) (US)[1]
Running time
 62 minutes
Country United States
Language English

Double Danger is a 1938 American crime drama directed by Lew Landers, using a screenplay by Arthur T. Horman and J. Robert Bren based on Horman's story. The film stars Preston Foster and Whitney Bourne, with supporting roles by Donald Meek and Samuel S. Hinds. Produced by RKO Radio Pictures, it was released on January 28, 1938.

Plot

Robert Crane is a novelist who is writing a series of novels about "The Gentleman", a jewel thief. The novels are based on a real-life thief who goes by the same name. Crane's good friend, David Theron, is the police commissioner. Theron suspects two people of being The Gentlemen: his friend Crane, and Carolyn Morgan. Theron sets a trap by inviting them both to his house for the weekend, letting it be known that he will be keeping a set of famous jewels, the Konjer diamonds, in his safe. It is Theron's plan to have a duplicate set of false diamonds in their place.

The week prior to the event, Morgan and her accomplice, Taylor, steal the authentic Konjer diamonds from the jeweler, Gordon Ainsley. Learning about the theft, Crane and his partner, Fentriss, steal the stones from Morgan. Since both thieves have already accepted Theron's invitation, if they do not show up for the weekend, they will confirm his suspicions. Theron lets it be known that the diamonds stolen from Ainsley were fakes, and that he is in possession of the real Konjer collection. When the two teams of crooks arrive at Theron's house, Morgan falls for his deception, while Crane does not.

That night, she steals the fake diamonds. Crane, meanwhile has fallen in love with her, and in order to protect her, he returns the originals to Theron. Theron suggests to Crane that the two leave the country, and that Crane write the final book in his "The Gentleman" series. Crane and Morgan take him up on his offer.

Cast list

(cast list as per AFI database)[1]

Production

The original title of this film was The Shadow Speaks, which led some media outlets to incorrectly link the picture with the popular magazine (and later radio) series featuring a character named, "The Shadow".[2] That same year Grand National Films was beginning production on the second of their Shadow film series, starring Rod LaRocque, the working title of which was also The Shadow Speaks (although the final title was International Crime).[3][4] Later that month, RKO announced that they were changing the title of their film to The Perfect Alibi.[5] The movie went into production on December 2, 1937.[6] By the end of the month the film was in the editing room.[7] At the beginning of January 1938, the title of the picture was changed from The Perfect Alibi to Double Danger.[8] The film was released on January 28, 1938.[9] The National Legion of Decency gave the film an A-2 classification, calling it suitable for adult audiences.[10] Maury Cohen, former founder and president of Invincible Films, had joined RKO in 1936 with great fanfare. This was his sixth and final film for his new studio.[1]

Reception

"A mild crook melodrama..." was how Harrison's Reports described the picture, saying it lacked excitement and suspense, and called the story "far-fetched."[11] Photoplay was more kind to the film, finding it "fascinating", and they particularly enjoyed the performances of Preston Foster and Whitney Bourne.[12] The Motion Picture Herald gave the film a good review, feeling the satirical edge to the piece gave an unusual and pleasing angle to a crime a drama. They applauded Lew Landers' restraint as a director, which kept the film's comedy from becoming to broad, and they also gave credit to the screenplay of Arthur Horman and J. Robert Bren, which they felt had a nice balance of suspense, humor, romance and satire.[13] Motion Picture Daily also gave Double Danger a favorable review, enjoying its mixture of comedy, suspense, and romance. They highlighted Landers' direction, and complimented the acting corps, especially Cecil Kellaway and Samuel Hinds.[14] While they found the storyline weak, The Film Daily thought the film was enjoyable, with good comedic and action sequences. They credited Landers with a good directorial stint, and singled out the performances of Foster, Bourne, Hinds as laudable, and also complimented the work of Paul Guilfoyle, Donald Meek, and Arthur Lake.[15]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Double Danger: Detail View". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on April 2, 2014. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  2. ↑ Wilk, Ralph (December 13, 1937). "Little from Lots". The Film Daily. p. 4. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  3. ↑ Wilk, Ralph (October 21, 1937). "A "Little" from Hollywood "Lots"". The Film Daily. p. 20. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  4. ↑ "International Crime". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on February 14, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Title Changes". Variety. October 6, 1937. p. 25. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  6. ↑ "RKO's 'Alibi' Away". Variety. December 1, 1937. p. 8. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Advance Production Chart". Variety. December 29, 1937. p. 25. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  8. ↑ Wilk, Ralph (January 6, 1938). "A "Little" from Hollywood "Lots"". The Film Daily. p. 31. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Release Schedule for Features: RKO Features". Harrison's Reports. February 12, 1938. p. 30. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  10. ↑ "National Decency Legion Classifies 14 Productions". Motion Picture Herald. February 12, 1938. p. 41. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  11. ↑ ""Double Danger" with Preston Foster and Whitney Bourne". Harrison's Reports. February 5, 1938. p. 22. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  12. ↑ "The Shadow Stage: Double Danger". Photoplay. April 1938. p. 96. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Showmen's Reviews: Double Danger". Motion Picture Herald. January 29, 1938. p. 53. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Hollwyood Preview: "Double Danger"". Motion Picture Daily. January 26, 1938. p. 8. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Reviews of the New Films: "Double Danger"". The Film Daily. February 11, 1938. p. 12. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
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