The Cardinal

Not to be confused with Otto Preminger's 1963 ecclesiastical epic (VL Online-5/03), this 1936 British film serves up a truncated adaptation of a period costume melodrama by once-popular playwright Louis N. Parker, who specialized in tales of historical fiction. Set in 1510, just prior to the outbreak of the Protestant Reformation, the story centers on Cardinal Giovanni de' Medici, who must feign madness in order to save the life of his brother Giuliano, who has been framed for a murder that was actually committed by Belmonte, the general of the papal army. (Belmonte and Giuliano are both in love with a wealthy young heiress whose father was the victim.) The film's primary point of interest is that it was the last screen appearance by Matheson Lang, a matinee idol of the West End in the 1920s, who recreates his stage success here as Giovanni, delivering a highly theatrical performance (the cardinal's scheme is to induce the general to confess by convincing him that he is being pursued by the ghost of the murdered man). Also featuring a young Eric Portman as Giuliano, The Cardinal is a fairly static, unimaginative film helmed by prolific journeyman Sinclair Hill. Still, this curio will be of interest to historians of British cinema, making it a strong optional purchase. (F. Swietek)