A radio announcer suspects a cohort of sending coded messages over the air to his bank-robber friends.A radio announcer suspects a cohort of sending coded messages over the air to his bank-robber friends.A radio announcer suspects a cohort of sending coded messages over the air to his bank-robber friends.
Edward J. Nugent
- Radio Engineer
- (as Edward Nugent)
Warner Richmond
- Max
- (as Warner P. Richmond)
Roscoe Ates
- Stuttering Piccolo Player
- (uncredited)
Lynton Brent
- Thug
- (uncredited)
Mary Carlisle
- Young Blonde Violinist
- (uncredited)
Hal Craig
- Second Policeman
- (uncredited)
Edgar Dearing
- First Policeman
- (uncredited)
Cliff Edwards
- Hog Caller
- (uncredited)
- Directors
- Nick Grinde
- Malcolm St. Clair
- Edward Sedgwick(uncredited)
- Writers
- Albert C. Fuller(uncredited)
- Jack Nelson(uncredited)
- Clyde North(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaMarion (Mary Doran) drives a 1930 American Austin, the first of this short lived, notoriously under-powered and under-braked series, which sold for $275-$550 from 1930-1934.
- GoofsWhen Brennan is talking to his boss Smedley; he tells Smedley, "Don't get excited". But on the next cut, the same scene is repeated with Brennan using a variation of the dialogue, this time telling Smedley, "there's no use in getting excited."
- Quotes
Marion Ferguson: You're quite fresh, aren't you?
William J. Brennan: No, just well preserved.
- SoundtracksJust a Little Closer
(1930) (uncredited)
Music by Joseph Meyer
Lyrics by Howard Johnson
Performed by Charles King
Reprised by a girls' band at the benefit
Often played as background music
Featured review
Haines Past His Prime
William Haines made an easy transition to sound, and his voice provided added dimension to his wisecracking on-screen character. In 1930's "Remote Control," Haines plays Bill Brennan, the brash over-confident manager of a radio station in need of a bailout. In what would today be regarded as sexual harassment, Brennan ardently pursues a female station employee, played by Mary Doran. The Haines-Doran match is an unlikely affair, either on or off screen, and, in any case, Doran is infatuated with a suave phony psychic, played by the greasy John Miljan. Hired by Brennan to provide on-air advice from the great beyond, Miljan instead broadcasts instructions to his gang of thieves thinly disguised as messages from the spirits.
Although still handsome, youthful, and full of energy, Haines was nearing the end of his career with "Remote Control," and he would retire only four years later. Haines fans will delight in his often-childish facial expressions and campy performance; non-fans may be less enthusiastic. However, neither fans nor non-fans will find this to be his best work or his best film. After a light breezy start, the plot veers into a grade-B crime flick, while Haines ignores the turn and sticks his tongue out at gangsters. Despite the efforts of three credited directors, this early talkie is typically stiff and stagy; the camera fluidity that reached a zenith in the late silent era has been lost to the demands of sound recording. While "Remote Control" is essential viewing for admirers of William Haines, the film may be a tough slog for others.
Although still handsome, youthful, and full of energy, Haines was nearing the end of his career with "Remote Control," and he would retire only four years later. Haines fans will delight in his often-childish facial expressions and campy performance; non-fans may be less enthusiastic. However, neither fans nor non-fans will find this to be his best work or his best film. After a light breezy start, the plot veers into a grade-B crime flick, while Haines ignores the turn and sticks his tongue out at gangsters. Despite the efforts of three credited directors, this early talkie is typically stiff and stagy; the camera fluidity that reached a zenith in the late silent era has been lost to the demands of sound recording. While "Remote Control" is essential viewing for admirers of William Haines, the film may be a tough slog for others.
helpful•133
- dglink
- Aug 21, 2012
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Fräck filur i fara
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 5 minutes
- Color
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