bbmtwist Due to a tight script, fine direction, a rapid pace, and Arliss' final performance as Dr. Syn, this is a winner in every direction.Light comedy, action, suspense, drama, all coalesce in this initial adaptation of Russell Thorndike's action novel.I just came from watching the excruciatingly dull three part Disney adaptation of a number of the novels under the title THE SCARECROW OF ROMNEY MARSH.Arliss' film is superior to the Disney in every way.Highly recommended. That's all I have to say, but the review guidelines require ten lines, so I am filling them up.

jacksflicks This is is a rather creaky, flawed effort, that reminds me a little of Jamaica Inn. And yes, this is George Arliss's last film, and he is indeed getting on. But he hadn't lost that unique Arliss delivery -- exuberant I'd call it -- that's so delicious to watch. And he had that angular look that lent itself to so many vivid characters, from Disraeli to Rothschild to Richelieu. He had a gaze that added the dimension of guile, even to his heroic characters, and also made him a great villain, as he was in The Green Goddess and finally (or as another reviewer says, eventually) in Dr. Syn.Every glimpse of the great Arliss is a treat, and you should grab anything you see him in, because his vehicles are very hard to find. And that includes this one. If for no other reason, see it to see the man who discovered Bette Davis.

bkoganbing The final screen role of George Arliss finds him back in the United Kingdom in the title role of Doctor Syn. At first glance he's the mild mannered vicar who takes a paternal interest in pretty Margaret Lockwood and her budding romance with the young squire in the area, John Loder. But in reality he's got a far better second career going as a smuggler.Doctor Syn ought to be good at it. In reality he's the famous pirate Captain Clegg thought to have been hung years ago. And some of the village establishment in Dymchurch where Arliss has his parsonage really work for him in the smuggling trade.Roy Emerton of the Royal Navy has come to Dymchurch to uncover the smuggling racket. He's a dogged fellow and his probing uncovers some disturbing information.Arliss gives a fine farewell performance in his last screen role done for his country's cinema as opposed to Hollywood. It's fascinating though that Alfred Hitchcock with an eye towards the American market and our Code changed the pirate/parson in his film, Jamaica Inn, while apparently no one felt any compunction about doing that for Dr. Syn.Two remakes were made of this story, Hammer did one with Peter Cushing in the title role and Walt Disney had a three part television story that starred Patrick McGoohan.Best performance in the supporting cast is that of Graham Moffatt who comes off as a British Lou Costello. He plays an apparently dimwitted young kid who turns out not to be so dumb in the end. Doctor Syn was a fine film for George Arliss to leave the cinema with and it still holds up very well today.

dbborroughs The final film of the actor George Arliss was this version of the story of Dr Syn, who was a pastor by day and a smuggler by night. Later versions would star Peter Cushing for Hammer and Patrick McGoohan for Disney, this is the weakest version of the story.The movie is okay melodrama, but isn't anything to write home about. Certainly had it not been an a multi-feature DVD I would never have picked it up, but now that I've seen it I can't say it was a complete waste of time.Part of the problem is that Arliss was well past his prime when he played the lead. While the fact that he was pushing 70 should not be held against him; the fact that he looked very close to dead, or at least embalmed and was playing a man of action should. The role should have been played by Tod Slaughter and you would have had a classic film.In his day Arliss was hailed as a great actor of the stage, unfortunately sound came too late to allow him to be anything but okay. If you want an okay time killer or to see a once great actors last gasp then see this version of Doctor Syn, otherwise stay away.