"The Solitaire Man," a screen drama adapted from the play by Bella and Samuel Spewack, directed by Jack Conway and presented by Metro-Goldwin-Mayer at the Loew's State Theatre with the following cast: Selling stolen jewels to gullible American made ladies, dramatically watching the croupier gather in their last chips at Monte Carlo signifying that Mrs. Vail would have to dispense with another heirloom the four comrades in crime, Oliver. Mrs. Vail, Helen and Bascom, roamed across the continent cheating the rich and law. And were they not justified? The Great War had been cruel. Enough of that Solemly Oliver declares that he has bought an estate in Devonshire so that they can retire to respectability. Helen has consented of marry him: life is once again roseate. But Bascom, the uncurable dope-flend has tried a coup of his own; he has stolen a diamond necklace. Oliver attempts to return it and fails. Murder, pursuit by an army plane over the channel, a suicide, an other death perjury and an orthodox Hollywood ending with an unusually humorous last line by Mrs. Ropkins; it is wholesome unadulterated melodrama. These who saw Herbert Marshall in "Trouble in Paradise" will recall that he is admirable as a thief with a sense of humour. In "The Solitaire Man" he is more sentimental that cynical, but he does his part with enough enthusiasm to be amusing. Would be prognosticators of screen stars should take all interest in Elizabeth Allen: also is attractive, acts with little effort and speaks her lines with assurance so that the words are audible and pronounced correctly. This latter quality is a definite asset. The supporting cast is excellent, especially Mary Roland who is as boisterous as a banker's wife should be. "The Solitaire Man" may not receive four stars from liberty; it may not be ranked as one of the best ten movies of the year, but it is devold of morals, aphorisms, and propaganda a type of film which is rare: it is a very pleasant flight from reality.
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