City of Chance

Underwhelming.

Very limited and static production - basically everything takes place in one set - almost a quasi-theatre piece. The only virtue is its short (56 mins). Mixture of very light 'noir' and some 'screwball' comedy. (The words 'screwball', 'zany' and 'swashbuckling' are personal turn-offs.)

The lead actress. Lynn Bari is very competent and veteran C. Aubrey Smith try their best. *If you don't recognise the latter's name, your brain will click when you see his picture.

There is a rather long lead-in, even for such a short film, and that turned me off almost in itself. The plot, if it had been dealt with more 'noirishly' with less of the screwball element, might have worked better.

Overall, one to skirt round.