All is not well behind the porches and windows of the houses in King's Row. One doctor imprisons his daughter, then kills her and himself. Another doctor performs unnecessary operations, then threatens to have his daughter committed. And, worst of all, Harry Davenport has to endure a ridiculous stuck-on beard from Perc Westmore.
Once again, Hugo Friedhofer has marvellously orchestrated Erich Wolfgang Korngold's brilliant score.
When I told Q that Kaaren Verne was married to Peter Lorre, she said 'He's punching above his weight'. And my sister informs me that it has a score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. How can any film be scored 100%?
Clive Hirschhorn's 'Warner Brothers Story' reports that the studio were concerned it was too dark for a wartime audience and sat on it for a year before releasing it, when it was only moderately successful. I'm not sure sitting on a film for a year is a good idea, also. Though did get Best Picture, Director and Cinematographer award nominations.
The kids are excellent - Scotty Beckett (who actually has more charisma than his grown-up counterpart Robert Cummings), Douglas Croft (just right as young Drake) and Ann Todd. Beckett was already something of a veteran by then - his later life was marred by drink, drugs, failed marriages and suicide attempts. Also special mention to Ann Sheridan's pop and brother, Ernest Cossart and Pat Moriarity.
When they're not hysterically crazy, it's the women who have the best ideas in the film. Love the scene where Sheridan 'lets' Reagan decide on a business venture.
'Dementia Praecox' was an old term which has now been updated to 'schizophrenia'.
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