Synopsis
Gary Cooper is a writer who hit it big with his first book, but has been mechanically producing more of the same ever since while he and his wife booze it up in New York high society. When his publisher rejects his latest tossed-off effort, Cooper and wife (now dead broke) retreat to his old family home in the country. There he gradually falls in love with the daughter (Anna Sten) of his Polish neighbour. She herself is engaged (unhappily) to another man. The budding relationship is thus fra…ght with many perils.
Something of a town mouse/country mouse melodrama, the film benefits (and how could it not?) from Cooper’s assured performance. As he can bring a degree of seriousness that anchors his comic roles in reality, here he contributes just the right level of levity to help prevent the drama from sinking into soap opera absurdity.
Audio
As with other recent Cooper releases (Ball of Fire and Casanova Brown), the sound comes in both original mono and stereo options. Though the stereo has the usual problematic aspects (indiscriminate surround), the volume in the rear speakers is much lower, and thus less distracting, than is often the case. Otherwise, the sound is merely serviceable, but this is 1935 after all.
Video
The print, too, is good enough, but not perfect. Grain levels are variable, going from the minimal to the irritating. Speckling and other bits of minor damage crop up throughout, never enough to spoil the viewing experience, but present all the same. The black-and-white tones are solid.
Special Features
None.
Closing Thoughts
Something of an obscurity now, but still worth a look.