Late Extra (1935)

A Masterpiece!

A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Young and keen reporter Jim Martin of the Daily Gazette follows a story about a killer on the run and with the help of his girlfriend Janet Graham, also a reporter, tracks down the villain in an exciting climax. It is a lively film only slowed down by the obligatory romance between Jim and Jane. The best scenes are in the offices of the newspaper itself with good dialogue and acting. It is not the most original of stories but for a 'quota quickie' it doesn't outstay its welcome.The cast is amazing. James Mason in his first screen role with that instantly familiar voice, not to mention Alastair Sim and Donald Wolfit who are well supported by Virginia Cherrill and David Horne. In bit parts are the easily recognisable Bernard Miles, Edie Martin, Bill Shine and Michael Wilding. There is a bit of location shooting but it mostly takes place indoors. The opening scenes with the swift cross cutting are quite entertaining. Low budget but entertaining.

This minor B film or as they called them across the pond quota quickies gives James Mason his debut on the silver screen. Mason plays an earnest young reporter who sticks his nose into a story about an escaped cop killer played by Victor McLaglen's brother Clifford McLagen. Before the film is over McLaglen kills a couple more people.One should remember that the police other than by special permission do not carry guns. That in itself makes it all the more poignant when McLaglen shoots down a traffic officer who was keeping an eye out for a car reputedly stolen by McLaglen.In fact a lot of people got early roles here. Charlie Chaplin's co- star from City Lights Virginia Cherrill plays a sob sister reporter also looking to crack a big story. Alastair Sim plays the editor, Donald Wolfit a police inspector and Bernard Miles and Michael Wilding have some bit roles.This is an economical film both in story telling and in budget. It's as good as any of the B films being turned out in the USA. This is not one of Mason's celebrated florid performances from later on, but he registers well in his screen debut.Late Extra is a bit of cinematic history and a decent film to watch.

SYNOPSIS: When a bank robber shoots a policeman, London's Daily Gazette offers a large reward for his capture. Reporter Janet Grahame, however, is more interested in capturing the story. She is both aided and hindered by her fellow reporters on the Gazette, particularly the double-crossing Carson (Ian Colin) and the sweet-talking, self-centered charmer, Jim Martin (James Mason).COMMENT: Although the amazing cast assembled for this newspaper hunt-for-a-killer-on-the-loose quota quickie was accidental rather than deliberately contrived, that fact doesn't detract one iota from its interest. Without all the star names, the story would be still be reasonably exciting. Virginia Cherrill (the star of Chaplin's "City Lights") walks away with the acting honors, although Andreas Malindrinos (as the sleazy café proprietor who is hiding cop-killer Clifford McLaglen -- Victor's brother -- in his capacious basement, is not far behind). As for James Mason himself, he has not yet perfected the voice or the appearance – in some shots, he doesn't even look like James Mason – but it's still a remarkably assured performance from someone who is not only facing the motion picture camera for the first time, but in a lead role at that. Alastair Sim is also given some odd angles by photographer, Alex Bryce, but although this was only his second movie, already he has perfected his voice and screen persona. You certainly can't say the same about Cyril Cusack and Donald Wolfit. In fact, you'll be hard put to recognize them. On the other hand, there's no mistaking Bernard Miles when he walks through a scene, even though his role is almost negligible! Director Albert Parker, who has the dubious honor of being both one of Hollywood's best (the 1926 Fairbanks romp, "The Black Pirate") and worst (the execrable 1922 "Sherlock Holmes") directors of all time, handles this one with a degree of competence and even flair.

James Mason gets top billing in his first movie, playing an unscrupulous (shall we say, "too fervent") newspaper reporter who is on the trail of a cop killer. Alastair Sim is fun in a minor role as a fellow reporter. There are some parts that seem quite silly (& are unintentionally laughable) by today's standards, but the film has an exciting climax. There are several unexplained issues in the plot that are left dangling.