The Match King (1932)

Unscrupulous Paul Kroll, starting as a Chicago janitor, uses graft to finance a trip to Sweden where by trickery he gains control of his uncle's small match factory. By expert manipulation ... See full summary »

Directors:

Howard Bretherton, William Keighley

Writers:

Einar Thorvaldson (novel), Houston Branch,

Stars:

Warren William, Lili Damita, Glenda Farrell

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Warren William	...	Paul Kroll
Lili Damita	...	Marta Molnar
Glenda Farrell	...	Babe
Juliette Compton	...	Sonia Lombard
Claire Dodd	...	Ilse Wagner
Harold Huber	...	Scarlatti
John Wray	...	Foreman of Janitors
Spencer Charters	...	Oscar
Murray Kinnell	...	Nyberg
Hardie Albright	...	Erik Borg
Alan Hale	...	Borglund
Edmund Breese	...	Olaf Christofsen
Robert McWade	...	Mr. Larsen

Storyline

Unscrupulous Paul Kroll, starting as a Chicago janitor, uses graft to finance a trip to Sweden where by trickery he gains control of his uncle's small match factory. By expert manipulation of everyone and employment of femmes-fatale, he parlays this into a match monopoly, expanding over many countries. Finally he meets a woman so gorgeous she turns his head away from a business that needs constant financial manipulation to survive. Based on the real career of Ivar Kreuger.

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Plot Keywords:

sweden | actress | forgery | chicago illinois | invention | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 December 1932 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tändstickskungen

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$165,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

First National Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

79 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is loosely based on the Swedish industrialist Ivar Kreuger, who killed himself 9 months before this movie was released.

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Goofs

In the meeting between Kroll and Scarlatti, Kroll blows out four of the five candles in a candelabra. The very next scene shows two candles still lit.

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Quotes

Paul Kroll: Never worry about anything 'til it happens. Then I'll take care of it.

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Soundtracks

"Waltz, Op. 34, No. 2 in A minor"
(uncredited)
Music by Frédéric Chopin
Played when Paul meets Sonia in Warsaw

User Reviews

One of the best movies you probably never heard of

This is probably the best performance you'll see by Warren William--a very popular leading man in the early to mid 1930s but who has been all but forgotten today. And, since he's no longer a household name, it's not surprising that this film is very much unknown.

This story is based on a real individual named Ivar Kreuger, who tried to corner the world market on matches by being about the most unscrupulous and power-hungry man of his day. The film concerns the many ways he shows that down deep he has no soul and there is no sin beyond him if it gains him more money and power.

William is exceptional in the role and the film is fascinating from start to finish. Considering the film is about matches, it must have taken considerable writing, acting and directing talents to produce such a captivating film.