Dishonored (1931)
Dishonored (1931)
DVD5 | VIDEO_TS | NTSC 4:3 | 01:31:20 | 3,75 Gb
Audio: English AC3 2.0 @ 192 Kbps | Subs: None
Genre: Drama, War
DVD5 | VIDEO_TS | NTSC 4:3 | 01:31:20 | 3,75 Gb
Audio: English AC3 2.0 @ 192 Kbps | Subs: None
Genre: Drama, War
Contemporary viewers who go into Dishonored expecting a musty, dated espionage melodrama will be in for a surprise. Marlene Dietrich delivers a subtle and witty performance as a Viennese prostitute who offers her services as a spy during WWI. As "Agent X-27" our heroine proves invaluable to her superiors, seducing and betraying enemy officers with the greatest of ease. But when she falls in love with Russian spy Lt. Kranau (Victor McLaglen), she permits him to escape her clutches, and as a consequence is sentenced to be executed. Ever the mistress of her own fate, "X-27" stands proud and tall before the firing squad, even comforting the officer in charge (Barry Norton) who can't bring himself to shoot a woman. The scenes between Dietrich and bemedalled general Warner Oland are in themselves worthy of the admission price; equally as entertaining is the brief sequence in which the jaded heroine disguises herself as a zaftig peasant girl.
IMDB
Although there may seem to be more glamour than truth about many of the incidents in Marlene Dietrich's new picture, an espionage adventure called "Dishonored," the presence of the beautiful German actress, coupled with Josef von Sternberg's capable direction, cause it to be a highly satisfactory entertainment. The head of the Austrian Secret Service, played by Gustav von Seyffertitz, reveals no little sagacity in selecting this charming person for a Mata Hari rôle against the Russians.
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Miss Dietrich is known only as X27 to the spectators and it is presumed that she chooses names according to her whims while she is seeking military information for her country. She is devoted to a black cat, to which Mr. von Sternberg pays a great deal of attention. He often heightens the effect of his scenes through showing the animal's irritation or its contentment. Its eyes glisten and its tongue protrudes, then suddenly the cat's eyes are closed and there is nothing but a bundle of black fur.
Dishonored (1931)
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Miss Dietrich's costumes are far more becoming than they were in her other two films. Her first assignment as X27 is to ascertain whether a General von Hindau is not selling military secrets to the Russians. The General pays attention to X27 at a mask ball and soon she is beheld in his apartment. On the way he is offered a cigarette by a man to whom he gives a lift in his car and he takes the smoke and puts it in his pocket.
Dishonored (1931)
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In the General's apartment X27 finds herself alone in the sitting room for a few moments and she looks around. The butler enters and asks her what she desires, and X27 calmly replies that she wants a cigarette. The menial informs the guest that the General never smokes cigarettes and that there are none in the house. No sooner has the butler left than X27 puts her hand in the pocket of the General's over-coat and takes out the cigarette he had been given in the car.
Dishonored (1931)
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It is no surprise to her that in the mouthpiece section there is a message. This she pockets and then she proceeds to light the cigarette, much to the annoyance of the General, who had been called to the telephone by the far-seeing and prompt Secret Service head. Only a few minutes later the General goes to another room and the report of a pistol is heard.
Dishonored (1931)
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X27 has her experiences with the undaunted Colonel Kranau of the Russian Secret Service, who, while he is true to his country, lets X27 know that he admires her. She outwits him in Russia by drugging his wine and her investigations turn out to be extremely valuable. Apparently she translates her information into ciphers of music, which after playing she remembers, whether she loses the notes or not. When Miss Dietrich is seen at the piano it sounds always very much as though the instrument were operated mechanically.
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Kranau is captured, but while alone with X27 he seizes an opportunity to escape and the girl is therefore tried by a court-martial and sentenced to be shot.
X27 asks to be permitted to clothe herself to her liking before the execution. She eventually appears looking more attractive than ever and coolly walks in the spot where she is to stand. The young officer who is to give the signal to the firing squad becomes hysterical and vows he will not give the order to shoot a woman. Another officer is called. The soldiers fire and that is the end of X27.
Miss Dietrich's performance is intelligent and beguiling. Victor McLaglen does moderately well in most of his scenes. Warner Oland is excellent as General von Hindau.
Dishonored (1931)
Though far from a classic, Dishonored is an immensely enjoyable vehicle for Marlene Dietrich, and a treat for fans of the screen goddess. Those who know Dietrich primarily as an icy, world weary siren, the personality with which she is often unfairly associated, will be in for a surprise here. "I'm not afraid of living or of dying," she announces early on, and she certainly demonstrates her capacity for living in here in a performance which moves from joyousness, strength and vitality to a doomed resignation born of doomed love – and is always believable. A highlight is Dietrich's richly comic (and mostly silent) turn as fresh-off-the-farm scullery maid, a disguise which allows the actress to demonstrate a surprising talent for broad comedy.
Dishonored (1931)
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Aside from Dietrich, Dishonored has some problems. The script, though serviceable, is a bit short on inspiration and surprise; it gets to where it needs to go, but it doesn't take the viewer on a particularly interesting ride along the way. Director Josef von Sternberg does wonderfully with Dietrich and gets a good performance from Warner Oland, but he can't help Victor McLaglen get a handle on his character, leaving him to do little more than strut and stick an annoying leer on his face for extended periods of time. Von Sternberg does provide some beautiful visuals, of course, especially during one of his trademark party scenes; but he also overindulges a penchant for lengthy cross-fades. Despite its flaws, Dishonored is worth watching for Dietrich – and she's quite an eyeful.Craig Butler, Rovi
Dishonored (1931)
Special Features:
- Behind the scenes photo
- Jumbo lobby cards
- Lobby cards
- Movie posters
- Publicity and Scene stills
- TCMDb article
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