Movie spotlight
International House
Foreign investors converge on a luxury hotel in China to bid on a new kind of radioscope. But, this is a hotel where Burns and Allen are the in-house medical staff, a measles risk sends the whole building into quarantine, and a madcap millionaire crashes dinner in his autogyro. Hotel and radioscope become a stage for an all-star cast of comedians and musicians, from vaudeville to the new generation.
Insights
Plot Summary
Set in the luxurious International House hotel in Shanghai, this film follows the eccentric millionaire and inventor, Professor Horatio W. Smith, who is developing a "death ray" device. His plans are complicated by his daughter's romantic entanglements and the arrival of a gangster who wants the invention for his own nefarious purposes. Amidst a backdrop of mistaken identities and comedic chaos, Smith must navigate personal and professional challenges to protect his invention and his family.
Critical Reception
International House was a commercial success upon its release, capitalizing on the popularity of W.C. Fields and the trend of elaborate pre-Code musical comedies. While its humor and star power were generally well-received, its plot can be seen as somewhat convoluted by modern standards, typical of the era's ambitious, genre-blending productions.
What Reviewers Say
Features W.C. Fields in a typically outlandish role.
A lavish pre-Code musical comedy with a chaotic, yet entertaining, plot.
Showcases early cinematic special effects and a blend of humor and musical numbers.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this older film, but it's generally appreciated for its historical value and the comedic performance of W.C. Fields.
Fun Fact
The film features an early depiction of a "death ray" device, a popular science fiction trope of the era, which Professor Smith develops from his hotel suite.
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