Late edition
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | Late edition |
| Original title | Five Star Final |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1931 |
| length | 89 minutes |
| Rod | |
| Director | Mervyn LeRoy |
| script |
Robert Lord , Byron Morgan |
| production | Hal B. Wallis |
| music | Leo F. Forbstein |
| camera | Sol Polito |
| cut | Frank Ware |
| occupation | |
| |
Late Release is an American drama film directed in 1931 by Mervyn LeRoy . The script is based on the play of the same name by Louis Weitzenkorn. In Germany, the film was shown for the first time on November 5, 1979, in the third program of the Bavarian radio .
action
Bernard Hinchecliffe is the owner of the New York Evening Gazette . To drive sales, the reporter Feinstein suggests organizing a New York taxi race. The proposal is rejected because of the danger to the audience. Meanwhile, the editor-in-chief Joseph Randall begins to re-investigate an old murder case. Nancy Voorhees shot her husband 20 years ago but was released by the court because she was expecting a baby.
Miss Taylor, Randall's secretary, who is in love with him, tries to prevent the editor-in-chief from doing a new research, but Randall continues, for fear of being fired. With the help of the reporter Isopod, who disguises himself as a clergyman, Randall is able to enter the Voorhees' house. Nancy is endowed with a new identity and is happily married to Michael Townsend. Townsend has given up a good job for Nancy and plans to marry off their daughter Jenny to the well-off Phillip Weeks. The Townsends believe Isopod has come for preliminary talks about Jenny's wedding and express fear that Nancy's previous experiences may leak out.
Randall prints Isopod's story. Phillip's parents read it and cancel their son's planned wedding to Jenny. Desperate Nancy commits suicide, and when Michael finds her lifeless body, Michael kills himself in grief. The bodies are found by Randall's reporter Kitty Carmody, who photographs them. The photos will appear in the next issue.
Phillip tries to persuade his parents to agree to the wedding with Jenny. She is now beside herself with anger and goes armed with a pistol into the newspaper office. She threatens Randall, who is said to be responsible for her parents' suicide in the next edition of the newspaper. Phillip arrives and prevents Jenny from killing Randall. Randall realizes his guilt and resigns, as does his secretary.
Reviews
"The 1931 US film is a fierce attack on the sensational press with an outstanding performance by Edward G. Robinson in the lead role."
"A mature achievement: As early as 1931, director Mervyn LeRoy criticized sensational journalism."
“After a play by Louis Weitzenkorn, Mervyn LeRoy's drama attacks the excesses of sensational journalism with unusual sharpness. Edward G. Robinson as a sometimes cynical, sometimes remorseful journalist and Boris Karloff as a sinister reporter deliver brilliant presentations. "
Awards
- Nomination in the Best Film category
background
The film's New York Evening Gazette is based on the real New York Evening Graphic published by Bernarr Macfadden between 1924 and 1932. The newspaper was a scandalous paper; critics called it a porn graphic .
The original title Five Star Final refers to a font (a typeface) that was often used by newspapers for the headlines.
The play by Louis Weitzenkorn served as the basis for the film Two Against the World (dt .: Two against the world ) from 1936 with Humphrey Bogart . Directed by William McGann.
Web links
- Late edition in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- Critique of Variety
- Review in the Classic Film Guide (English)