“The Bridge of Sighs” (1936)

The Bridge of Sighs

Brief Description:

An assistant D.A. sends a framed man to jail for murder, unaware that he is the brother of his girlfriend— who takes a huge risk to set him free.

(from Tubi)

Date: 1936

Genre: American crime film 

Running time: 1 hour 4 minutes 

Cast: 

Onslow Stevens (Jeff)

Dorothy Tree (Marion)

Jack La Rue (Lacy)

Mary Doran (Evelyn)

Walter Byron (Arny)

Oscar Apfel (Judge)

Maidel Turner (Mrs. Blaisdell)

John Kelly (Tommy)

Paul Fix (Harry)

Robert Homans (Homicide Captain)

Selmer Jackson (Adams)

Bryant Washburn (Neselli)

Kathryn Sheldon (Mabel)

Director: Phil Rosen

Production company: Invincible Pictures 

Wikipedia page

Watch on Tubi

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 5/5

I love this film! I totally forgot about it and as usual the first few lines threw me off. ;P It’s along the same lines as “Alias Mary Smith” but much better. There’s more of a ’40s feel to this one (AMS feels more ’30s) and I love the prison setting—so unusual. 

Characters: 5/5

I love Jeff! He’s such a great leading man, and actually very polite and respectful to Marion and everyone else (except the Captain, but he loves it). Marion is also a great leading lady—resourceful, clever, strong-minded—able to control herself well and play her part. I kept expecting her to go all fainting and damsel-in-distress and she never does, which is rather refreshing, even if I don’t hate the damsel-in-distress trope. Harry is a sweet boy, Lacy and Arny are good gangsters (I hate Army because of his evident flirting), and Evelyn is an interesting character. So are Tommy and Harry—I totally did not pick up on who they were last time I watched this. I would have liked more about the Judge though, and how he got Marion into YKW. And I like Adams too, briefly as he shows. And did I mention I love that old Irish captain? 

Plot: 5/5

This is one of the films that has me on the edge of my seat and keeps surprising me with the twists because it doesn’t go like most 1930s romance mysteries. I love Marion’s love for her brother, and Jeff’s fight for justice—and the microphone box, because it’s so cool. The humour is great—not too harshly American (sorry, but American humour can sometimes be a bit too abrasive for me)—and… I can’t say more because I’m afraid of wrecking the plot, but it’s just really awesome! 

Romance: 5/5

Jeff & Marion have such a sweet romance, even if it’s so briefly shown. <3

Content: 5/5 (low)

A kiss or two, some drinking & smoking. 

Violence: 5/5 (low)

Gun threats, a man is murdered (non graphic). 

Overall: 5/5

Again, one of my favourite classic mystery films. It’s so much fun!