This doesn't set your world on fire but neither does it disappoint. The Barrymore brothers are both on top form playing.... the Barrymore brothers - exactly what the fans wanted back in '32.
Probably because this is essentially two brothers just doing what they do it has a pleasant warm and cosy feel about it. That family-friendly MGM ethos and their big budget makes this enjoyable, engaging and entertaining to watch. It's based on a creaky old story from the turn of the century so don't expect anything too exciting or mind-blowing but mainly because of the genuine likeability of both John and Lionel and how well they obviously interact with each other, you cannot fail to like this one.
For their first appearance together on film you might have expected something amazing rather than something just OK. Because Jack Conway had to work to the strict rules to achieve 'the MGM look' he wasn't going to be able to make anything extraordinary anyway. The result is a highly marketable and profitable commercial product. As an example of manufacturing product for mass market consumption, MGM certainly knew what they were doing and this is a perfect example of this. That's definitely not saying this is a poor film, absolutely not, it has been designed to tick all the right boxes so satisfaction is virtually guaranteed.
Although I've said that this doesn't have the wow factor, there is one scene which will certainly make you choke on your bedtime cocoa. Karen Morley makes the most spectacularly sexy entrance into any film in history - waiting for John Barrymore, stark naked in his bed. What a pleasant surprise!
Probably because this is essentially two brothers just doing what they do it has a pleasant warm and cosy feel about it. That family-friendly MGM ethos and their big budget makes this enjoyable, engaging and entertaining to watch. It's based on a creaky old story from the turn of the century so don't expect anything too exciting or mind-blowing but mainly because of the genuine likeability of both John and Lionel and how well they obviously interact with each other, you cannot fail to like this one.
For their first appearance together on film you might have expected something amazing rather than something just OK. Because Jack Conway had to work to the strict rules to achieve 'the MGM look' he wasn't going to be able to make anything extraordinary anyway. The result is a highly marketable and profitable commercial product. As an example of manufacturing product for mass market consumption, MGM certainly knew what they were doing and this is a perfect example of this. That's definitely not saying this is a poor film, absolutely not, it has been designed to tick all the right boxes so satisfaction is virtually guaranteed.
Although I've said that this doesn't have the wow factor, there is one scene which will certainly make you choke on your bedtime cocoa. Karen Morley makes the most spectacularly sexy entrance into any film in history - waiting for John Barrymore, stark naked in his bed. What a pleasant surprise!