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Cult Review
Senior Film Conservator
Honestly, only if you're really into the stuff that was playing in theaters when talkies were still finding their legs. If you like classic capers, you might get a kick out of the setup. If you need something with a bit more punch or modern pacing, skip it. You’ll probably find the whole thing a bit sleepy.
Lew Cody is doing his best 'suave guy' routine here. He plays the thief with that arched eyebrow look that feels like it’s been practiced in a mirror a thousand times. It’s not deep, but it works for the genre.
The house itself feels like it’s made of cardboard and good intentions. There’s a specific scene where he’s trying to charm the niece, and the way she just stares off into the middle distance is wildly distracting. She’s supposed to be the 'dumb' part of the title, I guess? She nails the confused look, anyway.
I couldn't help but think about The River of Romance while watching this. There’s a similar vibe of people putting on airs and pretending to be someone they aren't, though this one is definitely thinner on the plot. It’s less of a story and more of a series of rooms where people stand around looking fancy.
There’s a moment where he almost gets caught near the safe, and it’s actually kind of tense. Just for a second. Then someone walks in and starts talking about nothing, and the tension just... poofs. Gone. It’s like the movie forgot it was a heist flick for a minute.
It reminds me a bit of the stuff they pulled in The Moral Sinner, where the stakes feel high on paper but soft on screen. You aren't really worried about anyone getting caught. You're just watching to see how long he can keep the charade going before someone notices he's a crook.
It’s not a masterpiece. It’s barely a meal. But for an afternoon where you want to watch some old-fashioned posturing, it's fine. 🎩
