Noel Coward had lots of offers to star in films but only took this in the 1930s. At least it was a unique thing - Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, legendary journos, playwrights and screenwriters, were given funds to direct as well for a brief experiment.
It's good to see Coward at his handsome peak - slim and youthful (the first scene has him getting out of a bath shirtless!). He speaks in that clipped, not terribly engaged way - like he's slightly bored and taking the piss. I think Coward could be a good actor but get the impression he coasted a lot. Mind you he does step things up at the end when he talks to God.
There's lots of awkward pacing, flowery dialogue. It's interesting more than entertaining. Alexander Woolcott is in this. And Lionel Stander.
I heard this was about Coward trying to find a person who wept for him, which it is - but that doesn't happen until about an hour in. Maybe this would've worked better on stage.
But still, it captures Coward at his leading man peak and is different.
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