Poor Acting


Robert Montgomery is a not a 'polished' actor in this movie. Or, maybe, it is the way the camera focuses on him or this wasn't the role for him.

Chester Morris and Wallace Beery were great as was Lewis Stone, who could play any part and play it well.

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I agree--I thought Monrgomery was TERRIBLE--but this was early in his career and he was still learning. Morris and Stone were great as was Beery (although he played every role the same way).

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I've often found it odd that Montgomery went on to become a bigger star and Beery was nominated for this movie, yet Morris was the real star here and was great....and didn't really go anywhere beyond B movies.

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............Actually Director George W. Hill ordered his actors not to act according to IMDB. Apparently naturalistic and gritty er movie then was the norm in 1930. The performances were never intended to be polished.
True genius is a beautiful thing, but ignorance is ugly to the bone.

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Montgomery's performance isn't my favorite, but I don't think it's too bad. The real issue is that Beery is just so good that he blows away everyone else. I recently reviewed "The Big House" on my blog, and I discuss Beery.

-Matt
http://EveryOscarEver.blogspot.com/2011/03/big-house-1930.html

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Not bad - 7.5

"She let me go."
~White Oleander

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