A Dispatch from Reuter's

Plot

As part of his new contract with Warner Bros., Edward G. Robinson agreed to appear in the gangster comedy Brother Orchid on the condition that the studio permit him to play the leading role in the lavish biopic A Dispatch from Reuters. Robinson is cast as Baron Paul Julius Reiter, who in 1833 inaugurates a "pigeon post" messenger service which is soon rendered obsolete by the invention of the telegraph. Eventually adapting to the new communications process, Reuters is able to extends his links to the major capitals of Europe, achieving success by scooping his competition with a transcription of a speech by Louis Napoleon. By 1858, Reuters has expanded his operation to the English-speaking countries, seriously over-extending himself financially. Ultimately, Reuters is rescued from bankruptcy in 1865 when he broadcasts on a worldwide basis the news of President Lincoln's assassination-even before the American ambassador in England has been informed of the tragedy. Throughout the highs and lows of his career, Reuters is encouraged by his loyal and loving wife Ida (Edna Best), who continually reminds him that he is a communicator and not a grandstander. Though not as entertaining and satisfying as Robinson's previous biographical film Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet, A Dispatch from Reuters' benefits immeasurably from the almost terrifying expertise of the Warners production staff and its stellar supporting cast (Eddie Albert, Gene Lockhart, Nigel Bruce, Otto Kruger et. al.) ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Review

Even with the marvelous Edward G. Robinsonj in the lead, there's no getting around the fact that A Dispatch from Reuters is a fairly dull affair. This is by no means Robinson's fault. Though often cast as a gangster and remembered as a heavy because of the vivid manner in which he brought these characters to life, Robinson had great range and played many heroes, as in this film. He had a fine instinct for drama, knowing the value of both underplaying and exaggerating, and he uses both to very good effect here. Indeed, at times, Robinson's performance creates a sense of there being a great deal more drama in the story than there actually is. Milton Krims' screenplay drags terribly, belaboring points and offering little in the way of memorable dialogue or fresh characterizations. Indeed, despite a very able cast of actors, many of the supporting characters frequently seem so insubstantially written that one is afraid they'll just fade away. William Dieterle's direction makes stabs at keeping things interesting, but the usually fine (and often excellent) Dieterle is off his form here. The film does look good, however, thanks to James Wong Howe's attentive cinematography and the expert physical production. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi

Cast

• Edward G. Robinson - Julius Reuter
• Edna Best - Ida Magnus
• Eddie Albert - Max Wagner
• Albert Basserman - Franz Geller
• Gene Lockhart - Bauer

Otto Kruger - Dr. Magnus; Nigel Bruce - Sir Randolph Persham; Montagu Love - Delane; James Stephenson - Carew; Walter Kingsford - Napoleon III; David Bruce - Bruce; Dickie Moore - Reuter as boy; Richard Nichols - Herbert at age 5; Lumsden Hare - Chairman; Norman Ainsley - Newspaper Vendor; Mary Anderson - Bit Girl; Egon Brecher - Reingold; Alec Craig - Geant; Billy Dawson - Max Wagner as a Boy; Cyril Delevanti - Newspaper Vendor; Gilbert Emery - Lord Palmerston; Lawrence Grant - Member of Parliament; Holmes Herbert - Member of Parliament; Stuart Holmes - Attendant; Kenneth Hunter - Member of Parliment; Ellis Irving - Speaker; Paul Irving - Josephat Benfrey; Frank Jaquet - Stein; Edward McWade - Scientist; Leonard Mudie - Member of Parliment; Pat O'Malley - Laborer; Henry Roquemore - Otto; Hugh Sothern - American Ambassador; Grace Stafford - Young Woman; Walter O. Stahl - Von Darnstadt; Theodore Von Eltz - Actor; Paul Weigel - Gauss; Wolfgang Zilzer - Post Office Clerk; Robert Warwick - Opposition Speaker; Joseph Stefani - Assistant; Hazel Boyne - Companion; Bobby Hale - News Vendor; Ernst Hausman - Heinrich

Credit

Anton Grot - Art Director, Orry-Kelly - Costume Designer, William Dieterle - Director, Warren Low - Editor, Hal B. Wallis - Executive Producer, Max Steiner - Composer (Music Score), Leo F. Forbstein - Musical Direction/Supervision, Perc Westmore - Makeup, James Wong Howe - Cinematographer, Henry Blanke - Producer, Robert Burks - Special Effects, Byron Haskin - Special Effects, C.A. Riggs - Sound/Sound Designer, Wolfgang Wilhelm - Screen Story, Milton Krims - Screenwriter, Valentine Williams - Short Story Author

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