Two Against the World (1936)

A radio network manager's boss makes him air a Serial based on a murder, tormenting a woman involved.

Directors:

William C. McGann (as William McGann), William C. McGann

Writer:

Michael Jacoby (screen play by) (as Michel Jacoby)

Stars:

Humphrey Bogart, Beverly Roberts, Linda Perry

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Humphrey Bogart	...	Sherry Scott
Beverly Roberts	...	Alma Ross
Linda Perry	...	Edith Carstairs
Carlyle Moore Jr.	...	Malcolm Sims Jr.
Henry O'Neill	...	Jim Carstairs
Helen MacKellar	...	Martha Carstairs (as Helen McKellar)
Claire Dodd	...	Cora Latimer
Hobart Cavanaugh	...	Tippy Mantus
Harry Hayden	...	Dr. Martin Leavenworth
Robert Middlemass	...	Bertram C. Reynolds (as Robert Middlemas)
Clay Clement	...	Mr. Banning
Douglas Wood	...	Malcolm Sims
Virginia Brissac	...	Marion Sims
Paula Stone	...	Miss Symonds
Robert Gordon	...	Herman Mills (as Bobby Gordon)

Storyline

Martha Carstairs was charged with murder twenty years earlier. Now, as her daughter Edith is about to be married to Malcolm Sims Jr., son of a wealthy industrialist, a sensationalistic radio station revives interest in the case, leading to the suicide of Martha and her husband. Opposing the station's policy is Sherry Scott, supported by his secretary Alma Ross, "two against the world."

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Plot Keywords:

deception | suicide | secretary | crime wave | writer | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 January 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

One Fatal Hour

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

64 min 56 min (Turner library print)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The $1000 that Dr Leavenworth suggests offering Miss Carstairs is worth $18,128 in 2018. The $2 for the marriage license is worth $36.

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Goofs

When Sherry Scott is discussing hiring Dr. Leavenworth, the positioning of his hands change dramatically between shots.

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Connections

Featured in Breakdowns of 1936 (1936)

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Soundtracks

Here's Looking at You
(uncredited)
Music by M.K. Jerome

User Reviews

Handsome Bogart, Lousy Acting

This cheapo remake of the terrific Five Star Final suffers from terrible acting. Humphrey Bogart stars as the manager of a sleazoid radio station that is desperate to boost sagging ratings. The owner decides to have a series of morality plays written about a famous murder case from 20 years ago. So they hire the fake preacher (Harry Hayden) to track down the murderess, who was acquitted and has been living quietly under a fake name. The preacher arrive on the daughter's wedding day, but the ruthless radio station refuses to back off exposing the mother and ruining their lives.

Bogart is always good. Hayden is good the the slimy preacher, and Henry O'Neill is good as the father. Everyone else is just awful. Helen McKeller wins no sympathy (crucial for the role), Linda Perry is a lousy actress, Beverly Roberts is OK but always looks old, Claire Dodd and Hobart Cavanagh have no parts, Carlyle Moore is a dud as the boy friend, Virginia Brissac is miscast as the society mother, Robert Middlemas overacts as the station owner.

This one comes in under an hour but is a pale copy of the original which boasted dynamic performances by Edward G. Robinson, Aline MacMahon, Frances Starr, and Boris Karloff. But it's always worth watching Boagrt.