A DISPATCH FROM REUTERS

(director: William Dieterle; screenwriter: Milton Krims, story by Valentine Williams and Wolfgang Wilhelm; cinematographer: James Wong Howe; editor: Warren Low; music: Max Steiner; cast: Edward G. Robinson (Paul Julius Reuter), Edna Best (Ida Magnus Reuter), Eddie Albert (Max Wagner), Albert Bassermann (Franz Geller), Gene Lockhart (Otto Bauer), Otto Kruger (Dr. Magnus), Nigel Bruce (Sir Randolph Persham), Montague Love (John Delane), James Stephenson (Carew), David Bruce (Mr. Bruce), Walter Kingsford (Louis Napoleon III), Dickie Moore (Reuter as a child); Runtime: 90; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Hal B. Wallis/Henry Blanke; Warner Bros.; 1940-B/W)

“A breezy, well-crafted and well-acted film.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

William Dieterle (“Omar Khayyam”/”Elephant Walk”) finely directs this old-fashioned prestige biopic on Julius Reuter (Edward G. Robinson), the 19th century impartial news service pioneer. It’s a breezy, well-crafted and well-acted film, based on a story by Valentine Williams and Wolfgang Wilhelm, and written by Milton Krims.

Julius is a curious boy in 1833, when raised in Germany.  His family moves to England 16 years later, and he starts a pigeon carrying service delivering stock market quotes. Julius admires the new telegraph services, and believes he can instantly get the latest news out to the public by providing such a service. In Paris, he’s aided by his friend Max (Eddie Albert) who works for him and in England by his future wife Ida (Edna Best). He receives loans from his Brit aristocratic stock market investor friend Sir Randolph Persham (Nigel Bruce) to stay in business.

For a fee the Anglo Irish company offers Reuter service to its telegraph lines. But after seeing his success with all the English newspapers subscribing, they decide to go into business for themselves. But Reuters refuses their low-ball buy-out offer and goes it alone, and comes up with a faster news service. His news service becomes the first to report the assassination of President Lincoln. By being always truthful in his news service, the attempt by those in Parliament to tarnish his reputation and put a halt to free speech fails.

REVIEWED ON 7/26/2025  GRADE: B
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