Most followers of cinema will recognise John Mills in this film before anyone else, and it is perhaps his presence which is the only real reason you might give this a go as there's nothing special about it at all. It's stage play stuff with an unhealthy smattering of Englishness and stiff upper-lip about it, surrounding a frowned upon relationship of the time - all of which looks outdated with a story irrelevant to the modern day. The script basically lacks the wit of an Oscar Wilde, and you could certainly envisage him in this day and age editing the screenplay into something that would amuse whilst maintaining the crux of love affair plot. Mills is decent but not standout, and the same can be said for the rest of the cast.
3 Reviews
Whip Hand
writers_reign23 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This was John Mills seventh film since his debut some two years earlier and based on this performance it's amazing that he was ever allowed to make another film. Even allowing for the time - 1934 - this is lowest common denominator fluff that makes East Lynn look like Citizen Kane. The risible plot has Mills playing the definitive s**t throughout and then, in the last reel turning a hundred and eighty degrees for no obvious reason other than it was a requirement of the genre. It's probably kinder not to name the others involved in this fiasco either in front of or behind the camera albeit all are totally forgotten today in any case. If you're looking for a definition of melodrama then look no further.
Mills in his juvenile.lead period
malcolmgsw9 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
John Mills is the disclosure playboy son of a self made millionaire.Mills is forced to marry a young woman from another class with whom he has had his wicked way.He abandons her within three weeks and goes back to his aristocratic lover.His wife comes to tell the father of the marriage.The father confronts Mills and tries to get him to live up to his obligations.However Mills slips back to his old ways.Father finds out and ships Mills off to Australia,however Mills jumps ship at Gibraltar and comes back home.His partner in a club tries to blackmail the father.The father is reminded of the rough and ready methods he used when he made his money.His father finds Mills with his lover and gives him a good thrashing.The lovers husband comes back and nearly wounds Mills.In the end Mills and his wife sail for Australia.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
