THUNDER IN THE CITY
UK, 1937, 85 minutes, Black and white.
Edward G. Robinson, Nigel Bruce, Constance Collier, Luli Deste, Ralph Richardson, Elizabeth Inglis.
Directed by Marion Gering.
This is a little-known Edward G. Robinson film, made in the mid-1930s, in England, small-budget and away from Warner Brothers. It should be essential viewing to see him in a more ordinary, non-gangster role – as well seeing him as the kind father in Our Vines have Tender Grapes. It is also interesting to see him in a dramatic clash with Ralph Richardson.
The film is enhanced by the presence of Nigel Bruce and Constance Collier as an impoverished Duke and Duchess – before Nigel Bruce became Basil Rathbone’s Dr Watson. Austrian actress Luli Deste is not particularly convincing for the reasons for her having an accent. Elizabeth Inglis portrays the young woman in the impoverished family – later to become the mother of Sigourney Weaver.
It has been suggested that this is a kind of Madison Avenue meets London City film, opening in New York with some ballyhoo promotion for a company, blimps and aerial trapeze acts, with the company disapproving of its lack of dignity and suggesting that the advertising manager, Robinson, go to England. His grandfather was the black sheep of the family so off he goes, immediately being an entrepreneur in the street as he listens to a young woman singing and collects money for her.
His relatives are very snooty but want to sell their mansion to get some money, with the help of banker Ralph Richardson. Robinson is full of enthusiasm for England and is soon involved in the scheme to raise money to start work in Rhodesia in a mine for magnalite.
His zest communicates to the press, he gets everybody employed, with a theme song, raising £1 million for the venture – only to find that the banker has bought the processes created by a French scientist.
Robinson graciously bows out, winning the admiration of everyone, not letting them lose anything of their investment – more than a touch of the Frank Capra optimism of the period.
1. Edward G. Robinson in the mid 1930s, his reputation for gangster films, his participation in a British comedy drama, his being able to portray a more ordinary American?
2. A British production, the opening in New York City, the skyscrapers, industry offices, the blimps and trapeze acts? The transition to London, the city, the countryside, the mansion, interiors and exteriors, the local fair? The visit to France? The musical score?
3. The title, appropriate or not? Indication of theme or not?
4. The introduction to Dan Armstrong? Fast talking? Advertising? His hunches? The blimp? The stuffy Americans, wanting him to absorb British dignity? Losing his job? His kindness to his assistant, the gift, the handkerchief? His going to England?
5. His background, the black sheep, taking the money, going to America, in jail? Dan interested in his background?
6. His philosophy of life, hunches, ballyhoo, the American Madison Avenue mentality? The encounter on the streets with Edna, Billy, her singing, the collection, getting her money, moving the piano to the hotel, her singing? The arrival of his relatives?
7. The relatives, the mansion, no money, wanting to sell? The financial advice of Manningdale? The discussions about money, their snobbery, Americans? The decision to sponge on Dan, going to the hotel? The invitation to the country home?
8. Dan, enthusiastic, on the train, speeds, hands-on? Meeting the family, impressed by the mansion, his room, the jokes about the distance to the bathroom, his getting lost with all the doors? Encountering the Duke and Duchess, playing darts? Their friendly welcome? Patricia, on the horse, danger, falling off?
9. The meal, his talk, enthusiasm? The relatives wanting to sell their house? The discussions with Mnningdale? Patricia giving the information, the Magnalite mine? Playing darts with the Duke, the plan, going to the fair, winning all the trophies, the Duke enjoying himself, away from his wife? On the merry-go-round? Dan persuading the Duke to sell? The return, waking up Patricia, the plan? Manningdale and his reaction? His plan to marry Patricia and her parents wanting this, and her wanting to marry for the money?
10. Dan, back to London, the phone calls to the press, the press conference, reading the article, repeating the information, Magnalite as the wonder mineral? For planes? For the future?
11. Employing everyone, Patricia and her friends, in high society, with ordinary people, the sales, the investments, Edna and Billy and their singing the company song? Showing all the money coming into £1 million?
12. The office, Duke and Duchess wanting their offices? The promotion of the mine, Rhodesia, the plans for development?
13. Manningdale, going to France, the launch of the company and the ballyhoo? Dan going to France, the scientist, his having sold his processes to Manningdale?
14. Dan, defeated by Manningdale, going to discuss with him, the possibility for everybody to lose their investment, the reaction of the media? The visit of the American boss and his wanting to invest?
15. Dan and his discussion with Manningdale, his being willing to do the honourable thing, to sell, for Manningdale to win?
16. The reaction of the people, their gathering to welcome him at the airport, his doing his best – and going to Vienna, Patricia with him?
17. The atmosphere in the 1930s, post-depression? England in the US and business, finance? And the overtones of the Frank Capra stories of the period, more optimism in human nature?
