The Amazing Quest of Ernest Bliss (1936) Directed by Alfred Zeisler
Drama / Romance / Comedy
aka: Romance and Riches
Film Review
Cary Grant was early in his career when he starred in The Amazing Quest of Ernest Bliss,
one of the few films he made in England, and yet his smooth
debonair persona is pretty well defined even at this stage. He
is probably the best thing about this film, which is lacking both on
the writing and directing fronts, and is let down further by Grant's
lacklustre co-star, Frances Clayton. Today, the film's value lies
in its fairly authentic depiction of life in Britain in the 1930s, a
time when genuine economic hardship was experienced by all but a
super-rich minority. There are one or two moments of poignancy
but the contrived episodic plot, pedestrian direction and an awful
comedy fight scene serve to diminish the film's charms and rob it of any enduring
appeal.
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Film Synopsis
The life of the idle playboy millionaire does not agree with Ernest
Bliss. Worried about his deteriorating health, he is persuaded to
see a Harley Street consultant who advises him to give up his
extravagant life style for one year and try to get by on less than five
pounds a week. Ernest rises to the challenge and wagers
£50,000 that he can give up his old life for one full year.
But sticking to this resolution proves harder than the millionaire
layabout had imagined. After several weeks of unemployment,
unable to pay the rent on his attic room in a cheap area of London, he
finally finds work as a door-to-door salesman. When he
lands his employer a huge wholesale order, Ernest rejects the offer of
promotion and instead gets himself a lowly job as a chauffeur for a hire car
company. Just as he looks set to win his bet, Ernest realises he
may have to lose it if he is to rescue the
woman he loves from a disastrous marriage...
Script: John L. Balderston, E. Phillips Oppenheim (novel)
Cinematographer: Otto Heller
Music: Werner Bochmann
Cast:Cary Grant (Ernest Bliss),
Mary Brian (Frances Clayton),
Peter Gawthorne (Sir James Alroyd),
Henry Kendall (Lord Honiton),
Leon M. Lion (Dorrington),
John Turnbull (Masters),
Arthur Hardy (Crawley),
Iris Ashley (Clare),
Garry Marsh (The Buyer),
Andreas Malandrinos (Guiseppi),
Alfred Wellesley (Montague),
Marie Wright (Mrs. Heath),
Buena Bent (Mrs. Mott),
Charles Farrell (Scales),
Quentin McPhearson (Clowes),
Hal Gordon (Bill Bronson),
Alf Goddard (Butcher Bill),
Moore Marriott (Edwards),
Johnnie Schofield (Lift Operator),
Frank Stanmore (Mr. Mott)
Country: UK
Language: English
Support: Black and White
Runtime: 80 min
Aka:Romance and Riches ;
The Amazing Adventure
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