Post by rmichaelpyle on Apr 11, 2009 5:48:58 GMT -6
Watched a little gem last night, "The Notorious Sophie Lang" (1934). Starring Gertrude Michael as Sophie Lang, the film also has Paul Cavanaugh, Arthur Byron, Alison Skipworth, and a funny Leon Errol. Ferdinand Gottschalk, Dell Henderson, Jack Mulhall, and others round out a fine cast. This film has a fine reputation, and now I know why. I saw Jean Arthur constantly as Sophie!! I wonder if she was ever asked to play the part? Two peas in a pod as far as looks and characterizations. Sophie is a jewel thief. A notorious jewel thief. High price stuff. Famous stuff. Well, you can guess what happens to begin the film... Paul Cavanaugh shows up at the police station posed as a famous European police inspector come to inspect American police work in New York. Actually, he's a jewel thief also, equally notorious, and hoping to meet Sophie Lang via the police department. Of course, the police chief in New York, Arthur Byron, knows who he is. (By the way, I saw William Powell in the part played by Cavanaugh all the way through the film) Anyway, Cavanaugh chases Lang and Arthur Byron chases both throughout the film, his sniff-dog, so to speak, Leon Errol chasing everybody literally - and with a great amount of humor. This light film spawned two sequels over the next five years. It was wonderfully acted, written, and directed, in the light vein of "The Thin Man". Not that it was as good as "The Thin Man", but it was really fun. Recommended!