Human Cargo *** (1936, Claire Trevor, Brian Donlevy, Alan Dinehart, Ralph Morgan, Rita Hayworth) – Classic Movie Review 11,031

‘A PAGE TORN FROM THE FILES OF THE SECRET SERVICE!’

Director Allan Dwan’s 1936 20th Century Fox black and white action crime drama Human Cargo is based on the novel I Will Be Faithful by Kathleen Shepard, and stars Claire Trevor, Brian Donlevy, Alan Dinehart and Ralph Morgan.

Trevor and Donlevy are sprightly as newspaper reporter rivals Bonnie Brewster and Packy Campbell, who are setting out to dish the dirt for their opposing rags, and get on a ship at Vancouver, on the trail of an illegal immigration racket, in which a a smuggling ring is bringing in illegal aliens.

The stars have the breakneck style and right manners and director Dwan has the right lightness of touch and easy grace to turn this long-forgotten comedy drama double feature film into a little winner.

As illegal alien Carmen Zoro, the 18-year-old Rita Hayworth was still acting as Rita Cansino, her real name, though it was her final feature at the 20th Century Fox studio.

The screenplay is by Jefferson Parker and Doris Malloy.

Runtime: 66 minutes.

It is shot at 20th Century Fox Studios, 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles.

Also in the cast are Helen Troy, Rita Hayworth, Morgan Wallace, Herman Bing, John McGuire, Ralf Harolde, Wade Botelier, Harry Woods, Wilfred Lucas, Milla Davenport, Hans Fuerberg, Arno Frey, Rosalie Hagedus, Otto A Fries, Hector V Sarno, Claudia Coleman, Eddie Buzard, Alonzo Price, Lee Phelps, Frederick Vogeding, Harry Semels, Edward Cooper, Tom Ricketts, Paul McVey, Ivan Dusty Miller, Stanley Blystone, Tom O’Grady, and Pat Hartigan.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,031

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