The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934)
The Private Life Of Don Juan (1934)
The Rise Of Catherine The Great (1934)
Blanche Fury (1948) ///
Major Barbara (1941) Convinced Wendy Hiller is the titular Salvation Army leader who bemuses professor Rex Harrison and confronts wealthy ammunitions father Robert Morley. Formidable cast includes bullish Robert Newton, while gentle satire rails against hypocrisy with immaculate visuals and design.
The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934) Spirited Leslie Howard ably captures the fey English aristocrat and daring channel-hopping hero rescuing French nobles during Revolution. Devious 'frenchie' Raymond Massey and pressured Merle Oberon provide strong support amid lush sets and static storytelling rhythms.
The Private Life Of Don Juan (1934) As much a satiric deconstruction of the Douglas Fairbanks star persona as an affectionate portrait of the aging fictional character's difficulties in still climbing balconies and seducing women. Solid design and comic momentum builds to fitting resolution.
The Rise Of Catherine The Great (1934) Smartly told and opulently designed, disturbed relationship between Elisabeth Bergner's practical Catherine and Douglas Fairbanks Jr.'s dissolute Peter disintegrates as she comes to power. Patchily compelling and effecting,
Blanche Fury (1948) Driven by Valerie Hobson's eponymous heroine, who evolves from steely and calculating to passionate and caring, an evocatively framed and designed melodrama. Builds a heady, noirish atmosphere as murder is planned before resolving with brute tragedy.
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