Big News

BIG NEWS is a 1929 sound film starring Robert Armstrong as a drunken newspaper reporter caught up in big city crime and corruption. The film itself is no great shakes, but the real reason to watch this DVD is to see a very young Carole Lombard. Lombard plays Armstrong's supportive, put-upon wife.It's not much of a role, but Lombard does a decent job. However, she is far from the mid 30's Lombard that most movie fans are familiar with. This film is so early in Lombard's career that she is billed as "Carol" instead of "Carole". Lombard developed an interest in numerology and added an e to her first name soon after this film. As for Alpha Video's DVD---the print is pretty bad. The framing is not very good--there are several scenes where the top of the characters' heads are cut off! The DVD clocks in at 66 minutes. I have a book on Lombard which lists the film's running time as 75 minutes. Having only seen the film on this DVD, it's hard to say if this is a complete version or not. If you are a Carole Lombard fan, you may want to purchase this as a chance to see her before she became a big star. She still looks gorgeous despite the poor quality of the DVD. If you are not a die-hard fan of Carole or early-sound cinema, this film may not be for you.

Armstrong comes over well. Well directed in a screwball style of dialog. A reporter is fired then rehired after he gets a confession from a gangster's moll. The editor in chief is then murdered and the clues point to the reporter (Armstrong) as the killer.My favorite line: "Steve, there's a big plate of left over liver and onions waiting at home." Worthwhile viewing.

Good movie. By our present day standards some of it could be construed as silly but for the era I very much enjoyed it. No shown violence, no sex, no bad language.

Great little movie. Saw this several years ago on Pub Hub and then they removed it. We enjoyed it much and wanted to see it again. Moves fast with some really funny lines. If you enjoy old classic movies this is a must see! Thanks Amazon for offering these old classics.

Great acting by 1920's standards. Sound is not great, but normal for 1929. Good story. 1920's humor.

It takes a while to get into, but Armstrong and most of the supporting cast including Lombard turn in acceptable performances for its day. Film and sound quality are barely adequate.

Fast shipping and love these classics!

fun movie