A genial racketeer and his assorted companions hope to become very rich by stealing the FASHIONS OF 1934.
Here is another example of the Pre-Code comedy crime caper film which Warner Bros. seemed to produce so effortlessly in the early 1930's. Featuring good production values, witty dialogue, slick acting & utterly inconsequential in actual value, these movies were sure to be crowd pleasers and theater fillers.
Affably sophisticated, William Powell is a fine crook, a rogue the movie audience can feel comfortable rooting for. He makes his life of larceny seem almost casual. Playing his artistic associate, Bette Davis not only scores in the acting department (admittedly not very demanding), but she also looks fabulous, an instant refutation to anyone who ever thought she never looked glamorous on the screen. Through all the fluff & feathers she drops a few hints to the talent she would eventually unleash.
The supporting cast is very commendable. Whimsical Hugh Herbert, as the California Ostrich King, gets to showcase his quirky humor. Frank McHugh scores as Powell's haplessly lecherous gofer. Lovely Verree Teasdale stirs up the plot as a Russian noblewoman who is not all she seems. Blustery Reginald Owen is a French couturier who runs afoul of Powell; Henry O'Neill and chittering little Etienne Girardot are New York fashion designers who also are confronted by the gang's duplicitous dealings. Handsome Philip Reed is the talented musician who is Powell's romantic rival for Bette's affections.
Movie mavens will spot Arthur Treacher as Miss Teasdale's butler, Jane Darwell as an enthusiastic Parisian customer & Hobart Cavanaugh, hilarious in the film's final moments as a desperate worm breeder; all appear uncredited.
One of the film's greatest assets is a musical production number created by the legendary Busby Berkeley. Meant to showcase ostrich feathers, 'Spin A Little Web Of Dreams' is a dazzler with Busby's trademark identical blonde showgirls whirling through complicated circular movements & patterns. It is one of his most charming successes.
Mention should be made of Orry-Kelly's fashions, which really are quite special.
Here is another example of the Pre-Code comedy crime caper film which Warner Bros. seemed to produce so effortlessly in the early 1930's. Featuring good production values, witty dialogue, slick acting & utterly inconsequential in actual value, these movies were sure to be crowd pleasers and theater fillers.
Affably sophisticated, William Powell is a fine crook, a rogue the movie audience can feel comfortable rooting for. He makes his life of larceny seem almost casual. Playing his artistic associate, Bette Davis not only scores in the acting department (admittedly not very demanding), but she also looks fabulous, an instant refutation to anyone who ever thought she never looked glamorous on the screen. Through all the fluff & feathers she drops a few hints to the talent she would eventually unleash.
The supporting cast is very commendable. Whimsical Hugh Herbert, as the California Ostrich King, gets to showcase his quirky humor. Frank McHugh scores as Powell's haplessly lecherous gofer. Lovely Verree Teasdale stirs up the plot as a Russian noblewoman who is not all she seems. Blustery Reginald Owen is a French couturier who runs afoul of Powell; Henry O'Neill and chittering little Etienne Girardot are New York fashion designers who also are confronted by the gang's duplicitous dealings. Handsome Philip Reed is the talented musician who is Powell's romantic rival for Bette's affections.
Movie mavens will spot Arthur Treacher as Miss Teasdale's butler, Jane Darwell as an enthusiastic Parisian customer & Hobart Cavanaugh, hilarious in the film's final moments as a desperate worm breeder; all appear uncredited.
One of the film's greatest assets is a musical production number created by the legendary Busby Berkeley. Meant to showcase ostrich feathers, 'Spin A Little Web Of Dreams' is a dazzler with Busby's trademark identical blonde showgirls whirling through complicated circular movements & patterns. It is one of his most charming successes.
Mention should be made of Orry-Kelly's fashions, which really are quite special.