A Dispatch from Reuters

Director: William Dieterle William Dieterle

Overview

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.)

Product Details

Release Date:	07/12/2016
UPC:	0888574406271
Original Release:	1940
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[B&W]
Language:	English
Time:	1:30:00

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Edward G. Robinson	Paul Julius Reuter
Edna Best	Ida Magnus Reuter
Eddie Albert	Max Wagner
Gene Lockhart	Otto Bauer
Albert Basserman	Franz Geller
Otto Kruger	Dr. Magnus
Nigel Bruce	Sir Randolph Persham,Bruce
Montagu Love	Delane
James Stephenson	Carew
Walter Kingsford	Napoleon III
Dickie Moore	Reuter as Boy
Billy Dawson	Max Stargardt as a Boy
Richard Nichols	Herbert (age 5)
Lumsden Hare	Chairman of the Anglo-Irish Telephone Company
Alec Craig	Geant
Hugh Sothern	American Ambassador
Egon Brecher	Reingold
Frank Jaquet	Stein
Walter O. Stahl	Von Darnstadt
Paul Irving	Josephat Benfey,Speaker
Edward McWade	Chemist
Gilbert Emery	Lord Palmerston
Robert Warwick	Opposition Speaker
Henry Roquemore	Otto
Paul Weigel	Gauss
Joseph Stefani	Assistant
Mary Anderson	Bit Girl
Wolfgang Zilzer	Post Office Clerk
Frederic Mellinger	Man
Stuart Holmes	Attendant
Hazel Boyne	Companion
Ernst Hausman	Heinrich
Grace Stafford	Young Woman
Theodore von Eltz	Actor
Kenneth Hunter	Members of Parliament
Holmes Herbert	Members of Parliament
Leonard Mudie	Members of Parliament
Lawrence Grant	Members of Parliament
Pat O'Malley	Workman
Cyril Delevanti	News Vendor
Norman Ainsley	News Vendor
Bobby Hale	News Vendor
George Ovey	Postman
Herbert Heywood	News Vendor
Georges Renavent	Official
Leonard Carey	Secretary
Harry Cording	Seaman
Frank Shannon	Purser
Charles Irwin	Operator,Board Member
David Thursby	Telegrapher
Lionel Pape	Stock Exchange Chairman
David Clyde	Constable
Pat Flaherty	Sailor
Cyril Thornton	Clerk
Louis Adlon	Clerk
Georgia Caine	Actress
Mildred Coles	Actress
Irene Colman	French Girl
Leda Nicova	French Girl
Florence Dudley	French Girl
Robert E. Homans	Reporter
George Sorel	Reporter
Demetris Emanuel	Reporter
Eddie Dew	Reporter
Michael Audley	Reporter
Ed Keane	Reporter
Cliff Clark	Reporter
Pat O'Hara	Reporters
Alphonse Martel	Board Member
Harry Stubbs	Board Member
Gordon Hart	Board Member
Thomas Mills	Board Member
Wilfred Lucas	Board Member
Alec Harford	Cockney News Vendor
Ernie Stanton	Cockney News Vendor
Hal Taylor	Cockney News Vendor
George Cathrey	Cockney News Vendor
Douglas Gordon	Cockney News Vendor
Charles Knight	Cockney News Vendor
Frederick Murray	Cockney News Vendor
Frank Benson	Cockney News Vendor
Tommy Baker	Sick Boy in Aachen
Jacques Vanaire	French Telegrapher
Crauford Kent	Editor Wanting Contract Voided
Ray de Ravenne	Man
Nina Borget	Woman

Technical Credits

Henry Blanke	Producer
Robert Burks	Special Effects
William Dieterle	Director
Byron Haskin	Special Effects
Hal B. Wallis	Executive Producer

Editorial Reviews

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.