Everybody seemed to have a hand in this story, there was President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who suggested it - S.S. Van Dine (Philo Vance's creator), Rupert Hughes, Nathanial West, but the idea wasn't new. In 1933 Paramount's "The Woman Accused" starring Nancy Carroll had much publicity about the collaboration of ten authors (Vicki Baum, Zane Grey, Irvin S. Cobb etc) on the screenplay. With both films it was a case of two many cooks spoil the broth. "The President's Mystery' wasn't bad and it did have a role for the sultry, under-rated Evelyn Brent. She had such a varied career with stardom in America and also in Britain in the 20s. By the early 30s her days of heady stardom were over, although many fans wondered where she was. Actually she was becoming a character actress in independent productions like "The President's Mystery".
Jim Blake (Henry Wilcoxon)is disillusioned with life. He is sent to Washington by the firm he founded - he now thinks George (Sidney Blackmer) is running it like a cheap racket. They want him to kill the Senators bill to reconstruct trade. His wife Ilka (sultry Evelyn Brent) is having an affair with George and is quite pleased Jim will be out of town, as George's wife Patty is going to the boat races. Jim comes home to take a well earned fishing vacation.
During his trip he sees "ghost towns" - towns shut up through unemployment. One little town has just had it's cannery closed and it's future is grim. Under a new name Jim "Carter" is persuaded by Charlotte Brown (Betty Furness always brought an intelligence to her roles) to come to Springvale an reopen the cannery.
He is reading a magazine and happens to read "The President's Mystery" which poses the question - "can a man liquidate his entire fortune and disappear"?? - Jim does that as well as faking his own death!!! Meanwhile his wife has insisted on a rendezvous with a by now disinterested George, who sends a henchman, who in turn roughs her up and accidentally kills her. When Jack's car and "body" are found in the river, people assume he has killed himself and his wife because of bad investments.
As Jack "Carter" he is now head of the Springvale Cannery. When George pays a visit to see if he can buy the cannery out, he recognises Jack and brings in the law to have him charged with murder!!! With Blake out of the way George hires some "roughnecks" to stir up trouble. With the help of a friendly sheriff Blake escapes and is able to calm the angry mob.
Recommended.
Jim Blake (Henry Wilcoxon)is disillusioned with life. He is sent to Washington by the firm he founded - he now thinks George (Sidney Blackmer) is running it like a cheap racket. They want him to kill the Senators bill to reconstruct trade. His wife Ilka (sultry Evelyn Brent) is having an affair with George and is quite pleased Jim will be out of town, as George's wife Patty is going to the boat races. Jim comes home to take a well earned fishing vacation.
During his trip he sees "ghost towns" - towns shut up through unemployment. One little town has just had it's cannery closed and it's future is grim. Under a new name Jim "Carter" is persuaded by Charlotte Brown (Betty Furness always brought an intelligence to her roles) to come to Springvale an reopen the cannery.
He is reading a magazine and happens to read "The President's Mystery" which poses the question - "can a man liquidate his entire fortune and disappear"?? - Jim does that as well as faking his own death!!! Meanwhile his wife has insisted on a rendezvous with a by now disinterested George, who sends a henchman, who in turn roughs her up and accidentally kills her. When Jack's car and "body" are found in the river, people assume he has killed himself and his wife because of bad investments.
As Jack "Carter" he is now head of the Springvale Cannery. When George pays a visit to see if he can buy the cannery out, he recognises Jack and brings in the law to have him charged with murder!!! With Blake out of the way George hires some "roughnecks" to stir up trouble. With the help of a friendly sheriff Blake escapes and is able to calm the angry mob.
Recommended.