The Locked Door
Directed by George Fitzmaurice
Written by C. Gardner Sullivan from a play by Channing Pollock
1929/USA
George Fitzmaurice Productions/Feature Productions
First viewing/YouTube
[box] Frank Devereaux: Oh, I like you in a temper. I want to hold you close, knowing you don’t want to be held.[/box]
Barbara Stanwyck’s first credited movie role was the lead in this clunky early talkie.
Cad Frank Devereaux (Rod LaRoque) lures nice girl Ann Carter out to dine on a floating saloon that stays in international waters. He has set up a private dining room and locks the door when she rejects his advances. She is saved only by a police raid on the boat, which has drifted into U.S. waters.
A couple of years later, Ann has married her wealthy boss. Frank surfaces again to seduce his sister to run away with him. This time it’s Ann to the rescue …
This melodrama may set the record for most unbelievable ccincidences in the last ten minutes. Even Stanwyck comes off somewhat stilted. I lay the blame on early sound technology.
Montage of clips
