One Way Passage (1932)

Director:

Tay Garnett

Writers:

Wilson Mizner (screenplay) &
Joseph Jackson (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

22 October 1932 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Romance...reaching the Heights of Heaven!

Plot:

A terminally ill woman and a debonair murderer facing execution meet and fall in love on a trans-Pacific crossing, each without knowing the other's secret.

Plot Keywords:

New Year's Eve | Hong Kong | Liquor | Con Artist | Marriage Proposal

Awards:

Won Oscar.

Cast

William Powell	...	Dan
Kay Francis	...	Joan
Aline MacMahon	...	Betty
Frank McHugh	...	Skippy
Warren Hymer	...	Steve
Frederick Burton	...	The Doctor

Also Known As:

S.S. Atlantic (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

67 min (TCM print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #2640-R: 3 September 1936 for re-release) | USA:Unrated

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Although the character's name would change, Frank McHugh plays the same part in the remake titled 'Til We Meet Again (1940).

Goofs:

Continuity: In the scene where Dan and Joan meet at a bar and toast one another, keep an eye on Dan's drink. (It's a rare concoction that appears cloudy when first poured.) There are many shots spliced together to show the ensuing dialogue and toast. In each, the cloudiness and quantity of Dan's drink change quite noticeably after a fateful spill and before he even takes a sip.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in This Property Is Condemned (1966)

Soundtrack:

Till We Meet Again

Francis and Powell Are Perfection

This is likely the most underrated great romance picture of all time! The stars--William Powell and Kay Francis--are superb. The supporting players--Aline MacMahon, Franck McHugh, and Pat O'Brien--have never been better. The music score is a classic; the story a perfect gem. From the opening shot at a Far East bar, complete with a marvelous singing trio, to the final, heartbreaking moment, this film is the perfect 1930s concoction of great stars and a ridiculously silly plot made totally believable and palatable. Kay Francis was one of the top stars of the decade, and this is one of her best films; William Powell, also underrated, has never been more suave. Both deserved Oscar nominations for this great fiolm, as did MacMahon and McHugh for support (not a category for another few years). Kay Francis did everything during her reign as a top Warners star. It's amazing how she was able to go from fragile heroine to hard-edged woman and then throw in a comedy. A truly versatile and wonderful star rescued by TCM from obscurity. Sadly, neither Powell nor Francis would ever win an Oscar----Julia Roberts indeed!