Doctor Syn was a popular figure in British literature - a parson by day, smuggler by night. He's played here by George Arliss, an ancient looking dude who was a film star in the 1930s. He's okay as Syn, though he lacks dash.
Director Roy William Neill made some good films in his time but this is pretty creaky. In part because I watched a crap print where you couldn't tell what was going on in the night scenes. But also dramatically - you're all too aware so much exciting stuff happens off screen (the death of Clegg/Syd's wife, his revenge against the pirate). I think the person who killed his wife needed to be alive.
The plot involves the authorities figuring out what Clegg/Syd is up to but it's never that exciting. There is some sweet stuff involving a young Margaret Lockwood who is Arliss' secret daughter; their scenes work - a lot more than Lockwood's love for drippy lunk John Loder. There's some lively trap doors and creepy covers and I enjoyed the fat kid.
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