He faked a bomb threat for love and somehow became the hero. Pre-Code chaos at its finest.
This pre-Code comedy-thriller centers on Robert Holden, a broke and discouraged veteran, who meets fellow American Elinor Green at a cafe in Paris. After their first encounter, Holden's attempt to return Green's thought-to-be stolen purse ends up rendering him a stowaway on board a ship bound for America. Also aboard is a collection of characters, including Green's banker fiancé, a famed scientist, and an opera singer. Romance begins to blossom between Holden and Green, just as a radiogram claims that an “infernal machine,” or bomb, is aboard the ship. Quickly each passenger accuses the others of planting the bomb until eventually Holden, jealous of Green's attention to her undeserving fiancé, falsely admits to being the culprit. In his role as assumed perpetrator, Holden tests the group further.
Acting
Chester Morris delivers chaotic 'fake villain' energy with bizarre commitment.
Writing
Pre-Code dialogue that dares you to believe this was once mainstream.
Director
Marcel Varnel
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Pre-Code Hollywood (1930-1934) allowed morally dubious protagonists to win—Holden's false bomb confession would be unthinkable just months later under strict censorship.
Director Marcel Varnel fled to Britain after this film and became the king of British wartime comedies—apparently ship-bound chaos was his training ground.
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