There isn't an iceberg dead ahead, but there's plenty of drama aboard this cruise ship where the third class is kicked out of first class, doctors chasing unfaithful wives sign for duty at the last minute, former business tycoons recall better days before being sent to prison for unethical business practices and various social climbers hob-nob with the rich, famous, not so famous and infamous. There's no real lead, although the story seems to focus on troubled doctor George Brent whose wife (Zita Johann of "The Mummy" fame) has come aboard with wealthy Frank Morgan. Dingy blonde Alice White sneaks from third to first class and begins hanging out with the elderly C. Aubrey Smith who used to be head of a women's lingerie company. "I've always wanted to meet a specialist...in ladies' underwear", White says, obviously looking for some sugar amongst the passengers. Even though he's aboard with another man's wife, Morgan finds himself drawn to reclusive opera star Verree Teasdale. Vivienne Osborne plays a very steely nurse whom one of the doctors describes as "Young and attractive, and about as human as a stethoscope".
Like "Grand Hotel", this pre-code drama includes birth and death, lots of sexual innuendo and a combination of comedy that drives the plot (White's spreading a rumor about a stock investment) and drama that is often poignant (Brent's effort to reconcile with his wife and his relationship with various patients). The performances are all excellent with White adding a light-hearted touch to all the tragic goings on with her delightfully dingy performance that never makes her annoying. The Paramount gloss is at its peak here, reminding me of the same year's "From Heaven to Hell", a multi-story drama surrounding the intrigue at a hotel near a race track. Ironically, Brent would star in an MGM musical by the same title that had nothing to do with this film, but I find this one much better-short and sweet, and delightfully to the point.
Like "Grand Hotel", this pre-code drama includes birth and death, lots of sexual innuendo and a combination of comedy that drives the plot (White's spreading a rumor about a stock investment) and drama that is often poignant (Brent's effort to reconcile with his wife and his relationship with various patients). The performances are all excellent with White adding a light-hearted touch to all the tragic goings on with her delightfully dingy performance that never makes her annoying. The Paramount gloss is at its peak here, reminding me of the same year's "From Heaven to Hell", a multi-story drama surrounding the intrigue at a hotel near a race track. Ironically, Brent would star in an MGM musical by the same title that had nothing to do with this film, but I find this one much better-short and sweet, and delightfully to the point.