Emil (played by John Williams -- no relation) is sent by his mother to visit his grandmother in London. In the train, the Man in the Bowler Hat (George Hayes -- no relation) tells him a lot of tosh about London, and offers him a sweet. Emil accepts, and falls asleep. When he wakes, he discovers the six pounds his mother gave him for his keep are missing. He follows the Man in the Bowler Hat, and runs into a gang of kids. They proclaim themselves the Detectives and help him follow his prey.
It's the second movie version of Erich Kastner's story, and the first in English. Although it lacks the charm of the German version, it's a well-told kid's adventure story directed by Milton Rosmer, and the camerawork is excellent. It suggest a juvenile version of Hitchcock, with a lovely expressionist sequence as Williams fall asleep.
Kastner specialized in children's stories. Besides this one, there have been several versions of DAS DOPPLETE LOTTCHEN, best known in English as THE PARENT TRAP.
It's the second movie version of Erich Kastner's story, and the first in English. Although it lacks the charm of the German version, it's a well-told kid's adventure story directed by Milton Rosmer, and the camerawork is excellent. It suggest a juvenile version of Hitchcock, with a lovely expressionist sequence as Williams fall asleep.
Kastner specialized in children's stories. Besides this one, there have been several versions of DAS DOPPLETE LOTTCHEN, best known in English as THE PARENT TRAP.