Submitted by
John V Watson
Kine Weekly
12 November, 1931
Rynox
Ideal. British (A). F.T. Featuring: Stewart Rome, Dorothy Boyd and John Longden. 4,273 feet. Release date not fixed
An unpretentious mystery play which has some claims to ingenuity in construction, is competently acted by a popular cast, and well presented. Good Quota offering for the majority of halls.
Story. - F. Benedik, the founder of the business of Rynox, discovers that the firm is in serious monetary difficulties, and sets to work to find a way out. He is continually threatened by Boswell Marsh, a mysterious and grotesque gentleman, and he eventually decides to give him an appointment.
At the appointed hour, Benedik is fgound shot dead, but the authorities are unable to trace Marsh. Benedik's son, Tony, carries on with the business, and is so successful that he is soon able to pay back the money received from the insurance company.
At this juncture a Captain James attempts blackmail, and it is then revealed that Benedik and Marsh were one and the same person, and that Benedik created the character so that at his death his creditors , through the insurance company, could be paid in full.
[This isn't really much of a spoiler, this much is revealed part way through the film. There are further plot twists]
Acting. - Stewart Rome plays the dual role of Benedik and Marsh extrordinarily well and it is almost impossible to see through the plot. The supporting honours are shared by John Longden, Dorothy Boyd, Charles Paton and Edmund Willard.
Production. - Michael Powell has treated the fantastic story with imagination and uses his camera to advantage. The settings have the stamp of modernity, and things are kept well on the move. Although one has a fair idea who the mysterious character is, one can never be sure, and this compels concentration and keeps the interest and entertainment alive.
Settings and Photography. - Apartment and office interiors are artistically devised, while lighting and photography are very good.
Points of Appeal. - Ingeneous story, good production qualities and acting.
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