When I read the summary for this film, it didn't sound all that interesting AND the thought of Wallace Beery playing a German wrestler just sounded stupid. Despite this, I gave it a watch and was thrilled that I did. While not the greatest film I have seen, it sure was much better than average and packed a lot of story and entertainment into such a simple film.
The film starts in Germany. An American, Karen Morley, is in a women's prison and is discharged without her child and with no money or a home. Ms. Morley appears to be a completely selfish sociopath and when she meets up with the incredibly sweet but very gullible Beery, she takes advantage of his decency. She sponges off him and pretends to love him while she bides her time until her her lover, Ricardo Cortez, returns. When Richardo does return after some time, she introduces him as her brother and Beery pays to get him out of jail and tries to help him get on his feet. However, Karen is shocked that Ricardo isn't interested in running off with her, but wants her to stay and marry Beery so they can slowly bleed him of everything! When the film is in Germany, there are some German-speaking actors (such as Jean Hersholt) and Beery actually did a pretty good job with his German accent and pronunciation, though he and his friends often speak in English when they really should be using more German (a bow to the audience, no doubt). Oddly, although Morley had been in a German prison, her pronunciation and knowledge of the language was basic, at best. But this is a very, very minor quibble.
As for the good, the script was terrific and the acting wonderful. You really find yourself caring about the characters--particularly Beery. Aside from Beery, Ricardo Cortez was a real standout--he was so sleazy and awful and yet slick, he made a great villain. Also, the movie ends very well--with neither a totally down-beat ending or a happily-ever-after ending. Instead, it left some loose ends and didn't seem formulaic.
The film starts in Germany. An American, Karen Morley, is in a women's prison and is discharged without her child and with no money or a home. Ms. Morley appears to be a completely selfish sociopath and when she meets up with the incredibly sweet but very gullible Beery, she takes advantage of his decency. She sponges off him and pretends to love him while she bides her time until her her lover, Ricardo Cortez, returns. When Richardo does return after some time, she introduces him as her brother and Beery pays to get him out of jail and tries to help him get on his feet. However, Karen is shocked that Ricardo isn't interested in running off with her, but wants her to stay and marry Beery so they can slowly bleed him of everything! When the film is in Germany, there are some German-speaking actors (such as Jean Hersholt) and Beery actually did a pretty good job with his German accent and pronunciation, though he and his friends often speak in English when they really should be using more German (a bow to the audience, no doubt). Oddly, although Morley had been in a German prison, her pronunciation and knowledge of the language was basic, at best. But this is a very, very minor quibble.
As for the good, the script was terrific and the acting wonderful. You really find yourself caring about the characters--particularly Beery. Aside from Beery, Ricardo Cortez was a real standout--he was so sleazy and awful and yet slick, he made a great villain. Also, the movie ends very well--with neither a totally down-beat ending or a happily-ever-after ending. Instead, it left some loose ends and didn't seem formulaic.