charles-p-hall I normally wouldn't bother saying bad things about a 1933 movie, heck talkies were just getting started. But despite what other reviewers are saying, this movie is really bad. Even Herbert Marshall, an impeccable actor, can't save this thing. Elizabeth Allen is also terrible, but she went on to do better stuff.First, it's based on a stage play... and it shows. Lots of standing around talking. Lots and lots. Then it has some of those 30's themes where the woman loves one man, who won't tell her he loves her too, while stringing along some other poor fellow. All three in evening dress and talking, talking, talking.When Lionel Atwill shows up and they all board the plane it gets even worse. The plot is crazy with people posing as Scotland yard inspectors one minute, and as a crook the next.The only interesting thing about this movie are the airport scenes and the giant biplane these folks board to cross the channel. Super wide-bodied if you believe the set, with parachutes for every passenger and windows and doors you can open in flight. In fact about three times the passengers open the door and peer out for long seconds after someone has jumped out (or they think he has). This is at night, in the clouds, over the channel, so I don't think there would be much to see.Other than the plane itself, there's just nothing interesting here.

blanche-2 THE SOLITAIRE MAN from 1933 is a B picture, but because it was made at MGM, it's really a B+. The studio used these Bs as a training ground for their up and coming young stars and even more established character actors. Herbert Marshall is Oliver, who heads up a family of con artists, except they're not related. His "son" steals a necklace that Oliver attempts to return because he knows the young man would be the first person they would suspect.While he is in the home, a burglar enters, and a policeman sees him. The second burglar kills the policeman, and Oliver is a witness. However, he can't see the murderer. Realizing things will get mighty hot, he and his crew try to leave the country by plane. During the flight, much is revealed. Mary Boland and May Robson also appear in this film, and they're great. Boland plays a mouthy, wealthy American, and May Robson, as a cultured society woman. matches her excellence. Herbert Marshall's elegant type of leading man has gone out of style, but he handled his role very well.See it for Boland and Robson.

vincentlynch-moonoi While it has its moments, I'm on the negative side of things with this film.It's another of a sub-genre of films I've always disliked. The primary genre was very common in the early to mid 1930s -- how the upper class lived. I always found the emphasis on that to be rather a bore. The sub-genre I like even less -- jewel thieves stealing from the upper class.Having said that, I will give the film a few points for casting...and few subtractions for casting. First, there are two actors in the film that I always enjoy, and here is no exception. Herbert Marshall was a fine actor, and here he plays a jewel thief desiring to get out of the racket and marry. I also always find May Robson a welcome addition to almost any film. Elizabeth Allan does well enough here as the romantic interest. Mary Boland is a hoot as the loud-mouthed American on the plane. On the negative side -- Ralph Forbes, the third of the thieves. Wow, could that man act! Well, no, not really...at least not in this film. But he certainly could overact! More than a third of the way through the film, Lionel Atwill comes on-board (literally on a plane)...but is none to impressive here.In terms of the story, like any number of early-1930s films, this script has some holes in it, including sudden plot changes that don't quite make sense. At one point, Atwill even calls Herbert Marshall by the name of Atwill's own character (how did that get by Hollywood's most prestigious studio?). Frankly, once on the plane, the writers tried to get rather clever with the story line, but ended up making the film rather inane at points.So my advice? Well, if you have a specific reason for wanting to watch the film (as I did, being a bit of a fan of Herbert Marshall), do so. Otherwise, pass it by...there's lots better from the early 1930s.

HarlowMGM THE SOLITAIRE MAN is a superb example of how MGM was head and shoulders above the other studios during this era - quite obviously a "B" movie, barely running an hour, it nevertheless boasts superior actors (several of them major film names) and an elegant polish that most other studios wouldn't have bothered with for a programmer.Herbert Marshall stars as the leader of a small "family" of con artists, when a faux son steals a priceless necklace Marshall attempts to return it, knowing the protégé would be the obvious suspect when it is noticed missing. While he is in the home attempting to put the jewels back in the safe, another burglar breaks into the home and was spotted by a patrolling policeman. The second burglar kills the inspector which Marshall witnesses but can't see the murderer. Later as he attempts to flee the country with his accomplishes on a small plane, secrets and double-crosses are revealed during the long flight.This comic crime-mystery is mainly worthwhile for the sole chance to see two of the 1930's greatest character actresses, Mary Boland and May Robson, together in the same film. These ladies, with Edna May Oliver, were the queen bees of character players of the era along with superstar Marie Dressler. Miss Boland is second-billed but doesn't show up until the film is almost half over, she quickly earns her star billing with a delicious turn as a brassy rich American who finds herself in unusual circumstances. Miss Boland is hilarious as always but here voicing her role in a boorish unsophisticated loud drawl rather than her normal dizzy musical tones. It's a superb characterization and she is matched by that wonderful septuagenarian May Robson as a presumably cultured society woman who is pretty blunt and earthy herself.Jack Conway, one of MGM's major directors, does a fine job here with this limited material and when the second half-hour is almost completely set inside a small airplane passengers area it's scarcely noticed given the fine direction and acting. The entire cast is quite good and it's intriguing to see Marshall, Miss Robson, and Elizabeth Allen - all British or Australian - not cast as Americans as they usually were in Hollywood films. This little film is fairly predictable in it's denouement but with a fine cast, sharp direction, and some good wisecracks, it's well worth your time.