Runtime: 92 minutes
Directed by: Jean Negulesco
Starring: Sydney Greenstreet, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Peter Lorre, Joan Lorring, Robert Shayne
From: Warner Bros.
Last night on Turner Classic Movies they showed a run of movies featuring Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet-do you believe they were in 9 motion pictures together?-and this atypical film noir is one I selected both due to it fitting in my schedule and me hearing about this film before.
Geraldine Fitzgerald gets Lorre and Greenstreet together as there needs to be a trio unfamiliar with each other for the purposes of wishing on a Chinese idol... specifically, they three go in on a ticket for the Grand National (this is set in late 30's England during Chinese New Year and for those not in the UK and are unfamiliar w/ Grand National, it's a legendary steeplechase horse race still held today) but they have to follow various guidelines; this is depicted as a large statue of what is identified as Kwan Yin. It is loosely based on actual Buddhist deity Guanyin. Believe it or not, one of the writers of this unique tale was John Huston, although he was not the director.
After the beginning, the trio do not get back together until the end; instead, three separate stories are shown, one of which is a crime case-that's why this is technically a noir. As others have noted in their reviews, with a movie that is unconventional by nature it is best not to reveal any of the surprises that occur. Instead, I'll note that this odd duck story is immensely helped by all the talent in front and behind the camera. I've been meaning to see more Lorre anyhow and among all the very good performances here, he was great as an alcoholic character who is different from his wheelhouse in ways I won't spoil.
I was happy that I derived plenty of enjoyment from this quirky and unforgettable tale that is perfect for noir fans that want to see something on Chinese New Year.
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