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Post by Doghouse6 on Dec 26, 2017 17:42:23 GMT
Florey directed a lot of stinkers in his career, to be sure, but some real little gems too: this, The Cocoanuts, The Florentine Dagger, The Beast with Five Fingers.
Just wanted to kick in with another Florey gem, The Face Behind the Mask. An especially effective vehicle for Peter Lorre, it's a wonderful demonstration of his range, finding him going from wide-eyed, eager to please immigrant to desperate outcast to ruthless crime boss to tender suitor, doting husband and, ultimately, dealer of cold, calculating vengeance. Accomplishing quite a lot in under 70 minutes, it weaves an unconventional tale that's epic in its own modest way, and full of twists and turns while infused with sensitivity throughout. With The Beast With Five Fingers, it fills out a twin package of Florey-Lorre glory. Haven't seen The Florentine Dagger; its thumbnail synopsis sounds thematically similar to Mad Love (speaking of Lorre), released only four months later. I'll have to seek that one out. |
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