The Informer 1935

     This is a black and white film and the setting is Dublin of 1920.  Gypo Nolan was a member of the rebel organization but he was let go.  Now he is starving and on the street.  He’s not the only one in this situation because many people in Dublin are very poor and hungry.  Gypo passes by a wanted poster for his former comrade Frankie.  There is a 20-pound reward for information about Frankie.  Gypo is distressed about the dire circumstances of his sweetheart Katie and he gives in to temptation.  He betrays Frankie and collects the reward.  Gypo feels horribly guilty about what he has done to get this money.  Frankie is killed because he would not give himself up.

     Gypo wishes he could turn back time and reverse the decision he made to turn in Frankie.  He ends up squandering the blood money that he received.  There is an abundance of fog to set the dreary mood.  It's the Irish rebellion against the British that is causing the hardships in Ireland.  There have been many years of struggles between Ireland and Britain.  Currently, the economy is more prosperous with more employment opportunities.  Also, the conservative Church is not holding as much of a tight grip on the people.  There are still questions abut the future of the country and the population.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie) 

         

91 min, Crime directed by John Ford with Victor McLaglen, Heather Angel, Preston Foster, Margot Grahame, Wallace Ford, Una O’Connor, J.M. Kerrigan, Joe Sawyer, Neil Fitzgerald, Donald Meek, D’Arcy Corrigan, Leo McCabe.

Note:  Imdb 7.5 out of 10, 91% critic 78% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, TCM Leonard Maltin 3.5* out of 4* user rating 4.4* out of 5*.

Special Note:  John Ford told Victory McLaglen more than once that he wouldn’t be needed for filming the next day.  Ford knew McLaglen would go out and get drunk and be hung over when he was called to the set.  A terrible hangover was the effect Ford wanted.  Dudley Nichols turned down acceptance of an Oscar and he was the first person to do this.  It was because of union disagreements but he took possession of his Oscar by 1949.  A presentation copy of the script was recently found on a garbage pile in Madison, WI.  It was brought on the set of Antiques Roadshow in 1979 and appraised for about $4000.  It took Dudley Nichols six days to write the script.  The 20-pound reward would be $88.50 in 1922 or $1,250 in 2016.  Awards were received for Best Director, Best Actor, Best Writing, Best Music.