The Informer (1935)
Victor McLaglen won the Academy Award for his performance in The Informer. A classic and an award winner, I was anxious to rent it. If it had been made in the 1950s during or right after the HUAC trials, I’d understand why it was so popular. An Irish rebel collaborates with police and turns in his friends, then he reaps the consequences. But in 1935, it was merely an early talkie with a mediocre story.
For anyone who doesn’t like old movies or haven’t watched that many, I wouldn’t recommend starting with this one. It doesn’t stand the test of time very well, with the dialogue that’s hard to understand, the acting that’s over-the-top, and the 1930s directing style. I’m not generally a fan of Irish rebellion movies, but I was better able to appreciate Beloved Enemy. The Informer is supposed to evoke your sympathy for Victor, but he’s not very sympathetic. He makes bad choices, he’s low-class and intellectually limited, and he plays his character as a stereotype. Many believe Victor won the Oscar because the Supporting Actor category hadn’t been created yet, and all three men from Mutiny on the Bounty split the vote in the leading category. But hopefully that didn’t rain on Victor’s parade and he still enjoyed his award.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thank "Juhi Thajer" for posting!
More Ward Bond movies here!
For anyone who doesn’t like old movies or haven’t watched that many, I wouldn’t recommend starting with this one. It doesn’t stand the test of time very well, with the dialogue that’s hard to understand, the acting that’s over-the-top, and the 1930s directing style. I’m not generally a fan of Irish rebellion movies, but I was better able to appreciate Beloved Enemy. The Informer is supposed to evoke your sympathy for Victor, but he’s not very sympathetic. He makes bad choices, he’s low-class and intellectually limited, and he plays his character as a stereotype. Many believe Victor won the Oscar because the Supporting Actor category hadn’t been created yet, and all three men from Mutiny on the Bounty split the vote in the leading category. But hopefully that didn’t rain on Victor’s parade and he still enjoyed his award.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thank "Juhi Thajer" for posting!
More Ward Bond movies here!