THE MIND READER

(director: Roy Del Ruth; screenwriters: Robert Lord/Wilson Mizner/based on a play by Vivian Crosby; cinematographer: Sol Polito; editor: James Gibbon; music: Bernhard Kaun/Felix Mills; cast: Warren William (Chandra the Great), Constance Cummings (Sylvia Roberts), Allen Jenkins (Frank), Clarence Muse (Sam), Natalie Moorhead (Mrs. Austin), Mayo Methot (Jenny); Runtime: 69; MPAA Rating: NR; producer: Hal B. Wallis; Warner Home Video; 1933)

“The star performance by Williams and the mordant comical lines throughout, raise the film’s value to watchable programmer fare.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

A romantic comedy about con artists helmed by Roy Del Ruth(“Happy Landing”/”Red Light”/”The West Point Story”). It’s based on the play by Vivian Crosby. It’s written by Robert Lord and Wilson Mizner.

Warren William is the failed carnival barker, who turns to being a traveling fake clairvoyant. He takes the name Chandra the Great. Chandra’s helper is Allen Jenkins. After getting into trouble over a suicide because of his bad advice, Williams tries to go straight to adhere to the sound advice of his loyal wife helper Sylvia (Constance Cummings). Nevertheless he winds up in jail after failing at a legit job of going door-to-door as a salesman and returning to do mind reading scams with Jenkins.

The star performance by Williams and the mordant comical lines throughout, raise the film’s value to watchable programmer fare.

REVIEWED ON 9/29/2015 GRADE: B-