The Notorious Sophie Lang (1934)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Ralph Murphy

Writers:

Frederick Irving Anderson (story)
Anthony Veiller (writer)

Release Date:

20 July 1934 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Plot:

After an extended stay in England, Sophie Lang returns to America. She is beautiful, sophisticated--and a notorious jewel thief...

Plot Keywords:

Sophie Lang

Cast

Gertrude Michael	...	Sophie Lang
Paul Cavanagh	...	Max Bernard / Sir Nigel Crane
Arthur Byron	...	Police Insp. Stone
Alison Skipworth	...	Aunt Nellie
Leon Errol	...	Stubbs
Ben Taggart	...	Police Capt. Thompson
Ferdinand Gottschalk	...	Augustus Telfen
Dell Henderson	...	House Detective (as Del Henderson)
Jack Mulhall	...	Clerk
Lucio Villegas	...	The Marshall
Adrian Rosley	...	Oscar

Runtime:

64 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:(Banned)

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Gertrude Michael replaced Carole Lombard, who refused to do the picture.

Movie Connections:

Followed by Sophie Lang Goes West (1937)

A great one from the end of the Pre-code era

Glamorous American jewel-thief Sophie Lang returns to the U. S. after lying low in England for five years. New York police inspector Stone is determined to trap the elusive Lang by enlisting the unknowing aid of Max Bernard, a suave European stone-stealer, traveling in America under the pseudonym of Sir Nigel Crane. Max and Sophie chase each other around, evade their pursuers, and of course fall in love. Along for the hunt are Leon Errol as a bumbling health-obsessed detective and Alison Skipworth as Sophie's crafty accomplice. Lots of laughs to be found, including Gertrude Michael's impersonation of a haughty Russian countess which comes out ala Garbo and a great line by Inspector Stone, "Never teach your grandmother to suck eggs." The film proved to be popular enough with audiences to spawn two sequels, The Return of Sophie Lang (1936) and Sophie Lang Goes West (1937). Critics were fond of the caper as well. The New York Times called it "…witty and exuberant entertainment performed with light-hearted gaiety by an excellent cast." Variety stated "Ralph Murphy directed the picture with a rat-tat-tat pace, not allowing it to stop for a minute."