The Match King *** (1932, Warren William, Lili Damita, Glenda Farrell, Juliette Compton, Harold Huber, Claire Dodd, John Wray) – Classic Movie Review 3566

Based on the true tale of the real career of Ivar Kreuger and a novelised version of his life by Einar Thorvaldson, directors Howard Bretherton and William Keighley’s little-known, antique 1932 drama is old-style film-making, requiring some allowances and patience to be made.

Forgotten star Warren William projects chilly power but lacks charm as the one-time American immigrant janitor Paul Kroll, who goes back home to Sweden, where he works his way ruthlessly to the top as a match magnate and then watches his fortune go up in flames.

But the movie is very well done, with strong performances from a good cast, superb photography by Robert Kurrle, plush sets designed by Anton Grot and Hal B Wallis’s marvellous Warner Bros production, all helping it to emerge as a still pretty gripping experience.

Houston Branch and Sidney Sutherland’s screenplay is based on Einar Thorvaldson’s novel.

Also in the cast are Lili Damita, Glenda Farrell, Harold Huber, John Wray, Hardie Albright, Juliette Compton, Claire Dodd, Spencer Charters, Murray Kinnell, Alan Hale, Edmund Breese, Robert McWade, Oscar Apfel, Irving Bacon, Harry Beresford, Edward Brady, Wallis Clark, John Elliott, Alphonse Ethier, Antonio Filauri, Thurston Hall, DeWitt Jennings, Alphonse Martell, George Meeker, Greta Meyer, Torben Meyer, Harold Minjir, Bodil Rosing, Rolfe Sedan, Charles Sellon, John St Polis, Sheila Terry and Wilhelm von Brincken.

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 3566

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