Friday, May 01, 2009

Radio review – Lux#214 - "The Lives of a Bengal Lancer” (1937) ***

It’s entirely appropriate that Errol Flynn step into the shoes of Gary Cooper, who played the role of the Canadian lancer in the film; Errol’s a lot more believable as a Canadian, and Brian Aherne is more English than Franchot Tone. Aherne and Flynn make believable friends – apparently Aherne was once considered for some of Flynn’s roles (including Captain Blood if I’m not mistaken). 

Aherne never had Flynn’s charisma, but he had class and comfortably slots into the role of best friend. Jackie Cooper is good as the whiny, cowardly son of C Aubrey Smith – he isn’t even given the chance to redeem himself at the finale, he’s just a coward.

The best thing about this episode is when the actors chat at the end, Smith scolds Aherne and Flynn for missing weekend cricket games.

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