William Powell's talkie debut in "Interference" (1928) is easily his worst film, though he himself is reasonably effective, and he is even partially successful in foreshadowing the screen charisma he was later to achieve. The director, Roy J. Pomeroy, was actually Paramount's special effects specialist (whose movie work in this field is far more extensive than the few films on which he received a screen credit). At this stage, Pomeroy had made a study of the various sound systems, and not only considered himself an expert but had convinced the Paramount brass likewise. In this movie, Pomeroy hoped to break the special effects mold in which he was caught and become a full-fledged director. Unfortunately, his hopes were bound up in a then-immovable sound microphone, forcing him to stage scenes with little or no camera movement. This makes it very obvious that certain actors, particularly Clive Brook, Doris Kenyon and Brandon Hurst, are playing to the mike, much as the original actors played to the audience in London's West End. (Oddly, in a reversal of the usual procedure, the play didn't open on Broadway until after the film was released). So, aside from a few inserts lifted from the silent version directed by Lothar Mendes, what we have here is very much a filmed stage play. The pacing is slow and deliberate. Of the four principals, only Powell comes over with colors flying – but only partly due to his histrionic ability. Powell's character, as written, is supposed to move slowly and speak deliberately. Considering she doesn't have the same good fortune, Evelyn Brent (chillingly successful here in a totally unsympathetic role) comes out of the movie best -- if "best" is an adjective that can be applied to a movie that looks for all the world like a very mediocre stage play; that moves with the speed of a snail; that is so dialogue-bound as to stretch the patience of even a most indulgent audience; that exhibits little or nothing in the way of directorial flair; and, worst of all, has the impoverished look of a movie made on a tight "B" budget.
Review of Interference
