I Like Your Nerve (1931)

Copyright 8 September 1931 by First National Pictures, Inc. New York opening simultaneously at the Warners Strand and the Brooklyn Strand: 12 September 1931. 6,298 feet. 70 minutes.SYNOPSIS: After consulting a fortune teller, Larry (Douglas Fairbanks, junior) journeys to a Central American republic where political corruption is rife. He forces his company on Diane (Loretta Young), but discovers she is about to marry a wealthy suitor to save her father from ruin.COMMENT: Although it tends at times to become dialogue-bound and even degenerates into the occasional shouting match (principally between Henry Kolker and Edmund Breon) or worse, gross caricature (Claud Allister's stage Englishman is the chief offender here with his "I say what, dear old egg!"), "I Like Your Nerve" runs mostly along the breezy lines of an ingratiating romantic comedy. Doug Fairbanks junior does all right by dad in a part that, whilst it lacks senior's acrobatics, packs in plenty of his charming aggressiveness.Loretta Young looks very svelte as the heroine and does her costumer proud.Boris Karloff has been handed some brief bits as Kolker's butler which he plays in his usual solemn accent (no trace of Italian) in a sinisterly sepulchral manner that will no doubt delight his legion of fans. Although lensed on a "B" budget, McGann's direction is surprisingly assured and polished, utilizing lots of varied camera set-ups, interspersed with effective long shots that show off the art director's attractive sets to their full advantage. True, there is evidence of hasty shooting here and there, but, by and large, a commendable job. Ernest Haller's superb photography also deserves a Highly Commended certificate.All in all, I'd rate this as a very pleasing addition to the current crop of cult movies. I wonder why it hasn't made the grade among cineastes? Could it be the simple fact that our tunnel-vision TV and most DVD suppliers pander almost exclusively to the newer movies brigade?

Off to seek his fortune in South America, adventure-seeking scholar Douglas Fairbanks Jr. (as Larry O'Brien) cuts loose with alcohol and fast cars. This lands Mr. Fairbanks in jail, but confirmed bachelor pal Claude Allister (as Archie Lester) helps get him off. Next, a freed Fairbanks sights luscious Loretta Young (as Diane Forsythe) looking model-perfect under a parasol. Fairbanks wants Ms. Young, but she is engaged to wealthy old Edmund Breon (as Clive Lattimer), who has trouble keeping his bowel movements regular. Young's step-father Henry Kolker (as Areal Pacheco) has arranged the May-December marriage. Papa acts like John Barrymore. It all leads to kidnapping. The butler Boris Karloff (as Luigi) didn't do it, or did he...**** I Like Your Nerve (9/12/31) William McGann ~ Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Loretta Young, Henry Kolker, Claude Allister

I Like Your Nerve (1931) * 1/2 (out of 4)Far fetched, unromantic and unfunny romantic comedy has Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. in a Latin country where he falls in love with Loretta Young even though she's to be married to another man. Several words like boring, insane and stupid come to mind when I think about this film, which is a major disappointment considering the talent involved. Boris Karloff has a small role as a butler.Loretta Young is my favorite actress but this is certainly one of her lesser films.

Just recently I was able to tape this wonderful film classic and enjoyed the great talents of Douglas Fairbanks Jr.,"Sinbad The Sailor" '47, when he was very very young as (Larry O'Brien) and enjoyed the funny romantic advances Larry played in order to keep Loretta Young (Diane, "The Bishops Wife"'47, from marrying a very horrible old man. There was a great deal of great comedy in this film and if you looked real close you would see an UGLY butler called Boris Karloff just starting out before his great "Frankenstein Film" debut. This great film classic lets future generations see the natural beauty of great film stars like Loretta Young and the great talents of Douglas Fairbanks Jr., who followed in his fathers FOOTSTEPS !