Spencer Tracy and Cary Grant are my 2 favorite actors. And, when I started to watch this film I thought I had finally found a Spencer Tracy movie that I didn't like. For one thing -- although I don't know why -- I almost always dislike stories about jewel thievery (in this case, pearls); they seem to 30-ish, rather than being an enduring theme. And I don't like films where stars, like Tracy, play villains. And here, Spencer Tracy plays a villain. Or does he? Well, you can guess now that he doesn't, and it's when we learn that he is a federal agent that the film begins to get a bit better. The trouble is that while he is faking being a criminal, his acting seems fake. Once he's unveiled as a good guy, it's more the Spencer Tracy that audiences enjoyed. However, that's not the only problem. Yes, in films we almost always have to suspend belief to some extent, but I just think this film doesn't seem very logical at all. The action seems very contrived to me, particularly the cross-country chase that is taking place. And the acting of the thugs seems rather stereotypical to me. By the way, although this is not the film's fault, the print I was watching on TCM was not particularly good.
That's not to say there weren't some good things here. Spencer Tracy's acting...once he stopped faking being a bad guy...was that good, steady acting that I admire him for. I also liked Myrna Loy's performance here after she began to reconsider her status as a thief. I don't don't just say that because I want her to be a "good guy", but because at that point there is some depth to her portrayal.
I'd just as soon dismiss all the acting by the supporting cast, although it was interesting to see veteran character actor John Qualen...and for once not playing his Scandinavian self.
If you want to see a Spencer Tracy or Myrna Loy film, this isn't the one I'd suggest. Both have done so much better work.
That's not to say there weren't some good things here. Spencer Tracy's acting...once he stopped faking being a bad guy...was that good, steady acting that I admire him for. I also liked Myrna Loy's performance here after she began to reconsider her status as a thief. I don't don't just say that because I want her to be a "good guy", but because at that point there is some depth to her portrayal.
I'd just as soon dismiss all the acting by the supporting cast, although it was interesting to see veteran character actor John Qualen...and for once not playing his Scandinavian self.
If you want to see a Spencer Tracy or Myrna Loy film, this isn't the one I'd suggest. Both have done so much better work.