Stingaree (1934)

A young woman is seduced by a charismatic highwayman who offers her promises of fame as a singer in exchange for romance.

Director:

William A. Wellman (as William Wellman)

Writers:

Becky Gardiner (screen play), Lynn Riggs (adaptation)

Stars:

Irene Dunne, Richard Dix, Mary Boland

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Irene Dunne	...	Hilda Bouverie
Richard Dix	...	Stingaree
Mary Boland	...	Mrs. Clarkson
Conway Tearle	...	Sir Julian Kent
Andy Devine	...	Howie
Henry Stephenson	...	Mr. Hugh Clarkson
George Barraud	...	Radford
Una O'Connor	...	Annie
'Snub' Pollard	...	Victor
Reginald Owen	...	The Governor-General
Billy Bevan	...	Mac
Robert Greig	...	The Innkeeper

Storyline

A young woman is seduced by a charismatic highwayman who offers her promises of fame as a singer in exchange for romance.

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Plot Keywords:

romantic triangle | melbourne australia | police inspector | outlaw | opera singer | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

25 May 1934 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bandoleiro do Amor

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$408,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

77 min (Turner library print)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Color:

Color (hand-colored) Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although the stated onscreen source credits "a series of stories" by E.W. Hornung, he actually wrote a novel called "Stingaree," which probably contained most of the story presented.

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Goofs

Hilda says that marriage to Sir Julian will make her a peeress. A peeress is the wife of a lord; Sir Julian is not a lord but a knight, a lower rank in the hierarchy of titles.

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Quotes

Mrs. Clarkson: ...Why, the very foundation of empire is woman's virginity.
Sir Julian Kent: Chastity, madame, chastity. No empire would get very far with virginity.

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Connections

Featured in TCM: Twenty Classic Moments (2014)

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Soundtracks

Stingaree Ballad
(1934) (uncredited)
Music by W. Franke Harling
Lyrics by Gus Kahn
Sung by an offscreen chorus during the opening credits
Performed by Earl Covert (vocal and guitar)
Played often in the score

User Reviews

The Outlaw Helpmate

Somewhat lackluster period musical/adventure tale set in Australia, 1874 telling the story of a young lady named Hilda (played by Irene Dunne) who works as a servant for the wealthy Clarksons, sheep farmers, and dreams of being a great singer. An upcoming visit by Sir Julian, a famous composer arriving from London, drives jealous Mrs. Clarkson (an interfering biddy who fancies she can sing - but can't) to send away Hilda, so he doesn't hear Hilda has a good voice. Meanwhile, an infamous outlaw named Stingaree (Richard Dix) has just arrived in town and kidnaps Sir Julian, then poses as him at the Clarksons, where he meets Hilda a few hours before she is to leave. Hilda, thinking he's Sir Julian, sings for him - and Stingaree decides to help her with her career. She soon finds out he's an impostor, he ends up kidnapping her - um, and she likes it (and this is all in one night!). They are instantly in love - the fact that he is a bandit that the police are after means nothing to her. They are soon separated though - after Stingaree is arrested and Sir Julian takes Hilda to Europe to make her into a famous opera singer.

This is a somewhat mediocre film - though I did like Irene Dunne in this, Richard Dix gives a pretty hammy performance here (rolling eyes and all). It's not all bad, but I thought the story was just a bit hard to swallow - Hilda and the memory she just can't seem to forget: being carried off on horseback by a bandit/outlaw - I just don't know about this woman's choices. Some of the character actors in this do add a few bright moments here and there - especially Andy Devine, as Stingaree's sidekick "valet", who got me laughing in the few brief scenes he is in. The music in this is not too memorable either - all in all, so-so.