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Break the News

  • 19381938
  • 1h 12m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
54
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Break the News (1938)
  • Comedy
  • Musical
Two small-time song-and-dance men come up with what they believe is a surefire publicity stunt, guaranteed to keep their names in the public eye--one of them will "disappear" in what looks l... Read allTwo small-time song-and-dance men come up with what they believe is a surefire publicity stunt, guaranteed to keep their names in the public eye--one of them will "disappear" in what looks like a murder, and the other will be convicted of the crime. Then the "dead man" will sudde... Read allTwo small-time song-and-dance men come up with what they believe is a surefire publicity stunt, guaranteed to keep their names in the public eye--one of them will "disappear" in what looks like a murder, and the other will be convicted of the crime. Then the "dead man" will suddenly show up at his partner's murder trial. Unfortunately, things don't quite go as planned... Read all
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
54
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • René Clair
  • Writers
    • Paul Gury(novel "Le mort en fuite")
    • René Clair
    • Geoffrey Kerr
  • Stars
    • Jack Buchanan
    • Maurice Chevalier
    • June Knight
Top credits
  • Director
    • René Clair
  • Writers
    • Paul Gury(novel "Le mort en fuite")
    • René Clair
    • Geoffrey Kerr
  • Stars
    • Jack Buchanan
    • Maurice Chevalier
    • June Knight
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 3User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination

    Photos

    Maurice Chevalier and Jack Buchanan in Break the News (1938)
    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jack Buchanan
    Jack Buchanan
    • Teddy Entonas Teddy Enton
    Maurice Chevalier
    Maurice Chevalier
    • François Verrieras François Verrier
    June Knight
    June Knight
    • Grace Gatwickas Grace Gatwick
    Marta Labarr
    Marta Labarr
    • Soniaas Sonia
    Gertrude Musgrove
    • Helenaas Helena
    Garry Marsh
    Garry Marsh
    • The Produceras The Producer
    Wallace Douglas
    • The Stage Manageras The Stage Manager
    Joss Ambler
    Joss Ambler
    • The Press Agentas The Press Agent
    Mark Daly
    • The Property Manas The Property Man
    Gibb McLaughlin
    Gibb McLaughlin
    • The Superintendentas The Superintendent
    Robb Wilton
    • The Cab Driveras The Cab Driver
    Felix Aylmer
    Felix Aylmer
    • Sir George Bickoryas Sir George Bickory
    C. Denier Warren
    • Sir Edward Phringas Sir Edward Phring
    George Hayes
    George Hayes
    • Preident of the Tribunalas Preident of the Tribunal
    Guy Middleton
    Guy Middleton
    • Englishmanas Englishman
    Athole Stewart
    • Governoras Governor
    Charles Lefeaux
    • Interpreteras Interpreter
    D.J. Williams
    • Judgeas Judge
    • Director
      • René Clair
    • Writers
      • Paul Gury(novel "Le mort en fuite")
      • René Clair
      • Geoffrey Kerr
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Two small-time song-and-dance men come up with what they believe is a surefire publicity stunt, guaranteed to keep their names in the public eye--one of them will "disappear" in what looks like a murder, and the other will be convicted of the crime. Then the "dead man" will suddenly show up at his partner's murder trial. Unfortunately, things don't quite go as planned. For one thing, no one seems to much care that the "dead man" is missing, and for another thing he's mistaken for the leader of a Balkan revolutionary group and is kidnapped by the other side. —frankfob2@yahoo.com
    • taxi driver
    • based on novel
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Musical
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This film received its initial USA telecast Monday 5 February 1945 on New York City's pioneer television station WNBT (Channel 1).
    • Connections
      Referenced in Round the Film Studios: No 1: Pinewood Part 1 (1937)
    • Soundtracks
      It All Belongs To You
      Written by Cole Porter

      Sung by Jack Buchanan

    User reviews3

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Very funny 1930s British comedy
    June Knight is a London musical star with little talent but a huge press following. Bit players Jack Buchanan and Maurice Chevalier nearly get cut from her show. They can't believe the fuss that the press makes about her lost dog, because the dog was only lost a few minutes. They devise a publicity stunt where Chevalier will stage Buchanan's murder. If Buchanan can walk into the courtroom after Chevalier is convicted of murder, they know that they will get a lot of newspaper coverage. The only problem is that nobody seems to care that Buchanan is missing. And when Chevalier finally convinces the police that he is a murderer, Buchanan is mistaken for a Balkan revolutionary and is kidnapped. As Chevalier is waiting on death row, Buchanan is lined up for a firing squad in the middle of a revolution!

    This long unseen British comedy by French director Rene Clair is very funny and has a lot of "black" humor that we don't associate with 1930s comedies. It was only released by poverty-row distributor Monogram in the United States, and then with some footage cut out. The ingenious screenplay will keep you guessing until the end of the film. Highly recommended!
    helpful•8
    1
    • silentfilm-2
    • Sep 13, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 1, 1941 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Smrt u begstvu
    • Filming locations
      • Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Jack Buchanan Productions
      • Trio Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 12 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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