DbcultAccessing Vault...
5.4/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.4/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Big News remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Okay, so Big News from 1930. Is it worth tracking down? Look, if you’re a fan of early talkies or just curious how quickly Hollywood figured out sound, then yeah, give it a shot. Anyone hoping for slick pacing or deep character work might find it a bit of a slog, especially if you're not used to the rhythm of pre-code films. If you really like Carole Lombard, it's a must-see for her early work, even if she's not quite *Carole Lombard* yet.
The whole thing centers on Steve Banks, a newspaper reporter, played by Lew Ayres. He’s got a bit of a drinking problem, which, naturally, is causing a mess with his wife, played by Lombard. She’s trying to get him to clean up, you know, for his own good and their marriage. Then, boom, a murder happens, and Steve gets tangled up in it. 🕵️♂️
Lew Ayres as Steve, he’s interesting. There are moments where he nails that weary, slightly desperate vibe of a guy who just can’t quit the bottle. But then, other times, his performance feels a little... *pushed*. Like in the scene where he’s trying to convince his editor he’s sober; his eyes dart around a bit much. It’s a very 1930s style of acting, big and clear for the new microphones.
Carole Lombard, though, she’s the real standout here, even in a supporting role. Her character, Della, she’s not just a nagging wife. She has this quiet strength, this resilience that really shines through. There’s a scene where she just looks at Steve, no words, just a *look*, and you can feel all the frustration and love and worry mixing together. It’s pretty powerful, considering how early this was in her career. She wasn't quite the screwball queen yet, but you see glimpses.
The newspaper office itself has this frantic energy, but it often feels a little too staged. Everyone is shouting their lines, slamming phones down. It’s supposed to be chaos, I guess, but it comes off more like a play sometimes. The dialogue itself, it's snappy in places, very much of the era. Lots of slang that probably felt super modern then.
The murder plot? It’s... fine. It serves its purpose, gets Steve into trouble. There are a few twists, but nothing that will really knock your socks off. The pacing does pick up once the investigation really kicks in. Before that, though, there’s a bit of a slow burn, especially when Steve is just trying to dodge his wife’s pleas.
One weird moment I jotted down: there’s a guy, one of the detectives I think, who just keeps eating an apple, loudly. Through an entire scene. It’s not important to anything, but it was so distracting. You just kept waiting for him to finish the apple! 🍎
And the drinking. It's portrayed as a real problem, but also a bit glamorized by the "hard-boiled reporter" trope. Steve is always reaching for a flask. It feels less like a deep character study and more like a plot device to get him into hot water. This isn't The Lost Weekend, for sure.
There's a specific shot, near the end, where Steve is framed in a doorway, looking totally defeated. It’s a quick shot, maybe two seconds, but it really stuck with me. Just a tiny detail, but it speaks volumes about his situation. The camera work, for 1930, is pretty static overall. Lots of medium shots. But moments like that doorway shot show glimpses of artistry trying to break through.
Honestly, the film feels like it's trying to juggle a few things at once: a social drama about alcoholism, a fast-paced newspaper procedural, and a murder mystery. It doesn't always manage to keep all those balls in the air. Some bits feel rushed, others drag. The ending, it wraps things up pretty neatly, maybe *too* neatly for all the mess that came before.
So, yeah. Big News is a curious peek into early sound cinema. It’s got its flaws, for sure. But it also has Lombard’s burgeoning star power and some interesting choices in performance. Not a masterpiece, not even close, but definitely a piece of the puzzle if you're exploring that specific era of film history. Just don't expect a smooth ride. It’s a little bumpy. 🎢
IMDb 6.7
1929
Community
Log in to comment.
