Movie Review Big News (1929)

Synopsis: Steve Banks is a talented reporter but his hard drinking ways both put his career in jeopardy and have his wife, Margaret, seeking a divorce. When Banks gets a scoop regarding a drug ring, he attempts to use it to his advantage and get his job back. However, when the ringleader, Joe Reno, murders Banks' editor, Banks is the one blamed.

Who's in it? The movie stars Robert Armstrong, Carole Lombard, Louis Payne, Tom Kennedy and Sam Hardy.

Review: My first choice for a morning movie proved to be a bit dull so I quickly called an audible and selected Big News because it was the first film I came across that sounded interesting. After watching it, I have to say it was an OK choice.

Banks (Armstrong) was an intriguing protagonist. He proved to be a clever and resourceful reporter throughout the movie. However, his heavy drinking, to the point he seemed to be blackout drunk at times, was as big an obstacle for him as any. At minimum, it destroyed his credibility but when his wife, Margaret (Lombard) decided she wanted the divorce, it also seemed like her news pushed him over the edge. It also left part of the ending up in the air until the very end - whether he would give up drinking or continue to be a drunk.

Another thing that helped this movie was the main villain, Joe Reno (Hardy). He was one of those bad guys who was surprisingly unpredictable. I was especially intrigued by how Reno seemed to take a variety of non-violent steps to keep the story from being published (helped by the fact he happened to be one of the newspaper's biggest advertisers) when killing Banks, especially while the reporter was drunk, seemed like it would be so much easier. Even the murder he does commit seemed almost accidental and out of character for him.

In fact, one of my biggest complaints about the movie is it wasn't long enough to delve into that further. Was it simply because of something his grandmother told him (as he suggested) or was there another, more logical, reason for his abhorrence to violence until it became absolutely necessary.

The movie's ending was a bit confusing at times but entertaining, with a combination of evidence against Brand, a surprise false confession and some sleight of hand to point the investigation in the right direction. It was a good, fast paced way to end the film, doing the rest of the movie justice before ending on a nice, happy note.

Final Opinion: The movie, filmed during Prohibition, does feel a bit preachy at times when it comes to the dangers of drinking. However, the story is entertaining, I enjoyed watching the film and I would recommend it.

My Grade: B

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Here are some reviews of other movies from the 1929:

Movie Review: Untamed (1929)

Movie Review: Blackmail (1929)

Movie Review: The Great Gabbo (1929)

Movie Review: The Thirteenth Chair (1929)