Late Extra
DirectorAlbert Parker
ProducerErnest Gartside
Writer
Starring
MusicCharles Cowlrick
CinematographyAlex Bryce
EditingReginald Beck
StudioFox-British Pictures
DistributorFox Film Company
Released19 November 1935
Runtime69 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Late Extra is a 1935 British crime film directed by Albert Parker and starring James Mason (his film debut), Virginia Cherrill, and Alastair Sim.[1][2] It was written by Ingram D'Abbes and Fenn Sherie and Anthony Richardson.

Plot

Cub reporter Jim Martin gets his big break when he is assigned to interview a woman who rang his newspaper claiming to have information about wanted murderer Rudolf Weinhart. Jim and his reporter girlfriend Janet Graham arrive at the woman's apartment only to discover her dead. When Janet meets a girl named Sylvia Caporelli who claims to have inside information but demands anonymity, Jim and Janet quarrel, as they struggle to choose between their loyalty to the newspaper and their duty to protect an individual. Despite being repeatedly thwarted by information leaks within his own office, Jim persists, eventually tracking down Weinhart and getting his exclusive story.[3]

Production

The film was made at Wembley Studios by the British subsidiary of the Fox Film Company as a quota quickie.[4][5] The film's sets were designed by the art director Ralph W. Brinton.

Reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The plot is improbable but exciting; the development provides suspense while the climax is spectacular and thrilling.  ... The newspaper office sequences are convincing; lighting and photography are good and the direction is thoroughly competent. There is a pleasant element of romance which relieves the tension without holding up the action."[3]

The Daily Film Renter wrote: "Put over with an overplus of dialogue, the story is not always convincing, while certain parts of the development are occasionally obscure. Romance enters into the general scheme in the person of a girl reporter who helps the hero on his assignment, later getting together with him at the fade-out for the conventional embrace. Newspaper office settings appear fairly authentic, and direction manages to sustain the interest, despite the plot weaknesses."[6]

Picture Show wrote: "The story is somewhat vague and confused, and lacks conviction. James Mason in the role of Jim gives an aceeptable performance in which he is strongly supported by Virginia Cherrill."[7]

References

  1. ^ "Late Extra". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  2. ^ Wood, Linda (1986). British Films, 1927–1939. British Film Institute. p. 86. Archived 16 October 2022 at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ^ "Late Extra". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 2 (13): 173. 1 January 1935.
  4. ^ "Late Extra (1935)". BFI. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016.
  5. ^ Chibnall, Steve (2007). Quota Quickies: The Birth of the British 'B' Film. British Film Institute. p. 284. ISBN 978-1844571550.
  6. ^ "Late Extra". The Daily Film Renter. ' (2711): 6. 20 November 1935.
  7. ^ "Late Extra". Picture Show. 35 (888): 25. 9 May 1936.