It's the film debut of Norman Maine #2 (James Mason), and he's absolutely phenomenal as a reporter on a newspaper waiting around for his big break, and told by others that you don't waste time waiting around. A veteran reporter, content with just having a job, shows Mason his prize possession: an umbrella marking 15 years of service, and no glory to show for it.
Breaks happen in the business when least expected, and Mason gets it immediately after thanks to a bank robbery which leads to the death of a cop, and along with fellow novice Virginia Cherrill hunts down his own variation of the story which leads to a twist that involves murder. Boss Alastair Sim gives him cynical encouragement, and the break scores for Mason in a surprising manner.
The break really wouldn't happen until Mason passed through the quota quickie phase, became a matinee idol in Gainsborough melodramas, and finally hit enough pay dirt through working both in Hollywood and British cinema, and no sad Norman Maine style ending. Quick editing of people reacting to the initial story and responding to knocks on their door gives a glimpse into British culture of the 30's. The creakiness doesn't get in the way of this being a better than expected film.
Breaks happen in the business when least expected, and Mason gets it immediately after thanks to a bank robbery which leads to the death of a cop, and along with fellow novice Virginia Cherrill hunts down his own variation of the story which leads to a twist that involves murder. Boss Alastair Sim gives him cynical encouragement, and the break scores for Mason in a surprising manner.
The break really wouldn't happen until Mason passed through the quota quickie phase, became a matinee idol in Gainsborough melodramas, and finally hit enough pay dirt through working both in Hollywood and British cinema, and no sad Norman Maine style ending. Quick editing of people reacting to the initial story and responding to knocks on their door gives a glimpse into British culture of the 30's. The creakiness doesn't get in the way of this being a better than expected film.