Directed by: Alfred Zeisler
Starring:
Cary Grant stars in this rather simple story of Ernest Bliss, a wealthy young
man-about-London that goes to see his doctor because he can't figure out why he
feels so lethargic, not realizing that he is simply depressed from boredom.
After finding nothing physically wrong with him, his doctor gets him to agree to
a fifty-thousand-pound wager. He must go out into the world and earn his own way
for one year, taking only a five-pound note with him. Determined to win the bet
Ernest sets out full of hope and youthful optimism.
He has a few tame adventures along the way and meets the prerequisite pretty girl. He does use his money to anonymously help those around him but steadfastly refuses to spend any of it on himself. It is clear to the audience long before it is to Ernest that the remedy was just what the doctor ordered. No longer living a life of pampered leisure Ernest Bliss has no time to feel depressed or sorry for himself. In one amusing scene he is working as a cabbie when he picks up his doctor who, of course, doesn't recognize him. He proudly introduces himself and tells the doctor he has only seven months to go to win the bet.
Remembered today only because of the immortal Cary Grant, Amazing Adventure doesn't really live up to its title. More appropriately called 'A Mildly Amusing On A Rainy Day If You Aren't Expecting Too Much Adventure'. I recommend this one for Cary Grant fans only or for fans of semi-obscure, black & white, British movies from the thirties.
Oh those bored, depressed, sad rich people. The Amazing Adventure was made during the depression and was obviously meant to be uplifting to the "common" man of the time by showing rich people as superficial, corrupt and very, very dull. Every working class or poor person is shown as very kind and sweet. At one point Grant can't pay his rent but the poor old landlady smiles sweetly and lets it slide.The entire film is insulting to rich people. They are shown dining and giving each other expensive, meaningless, gifts. The movie's moral is that Grant learns how to better spend his money and thus help poor people.
Cary Grant is one of the greatest movie stars of all time! However, this movie is a complete throwaway. This film may have been made for a social commentary, but I wish it had been made for entertainment sake as well.
Photos © Copyright United Artists (1937)