mll1-2 OK, so here's the deal, this movie ruined my life. How can such a thing be? Well, listen up: At the age of five (or thereabouts) I watched this movie on television. I fell in love with Ms. Carroll. Her golden-ringletted cloying prettiness was perfectly suited to a five-year-old's notion of female beauty. She was married to Mr. Saunders, who dressed REALLY well, spoke beautifully, was rich and was exceptionally urbane. Naturally, she didn't care for him. She was in love with Mr. Powers, who was, frankly, breathtakingly beautiful -- much more beautiful than Ms. Carroll at her best.But I digress. Anyway, my five year old brain decides, "In order to win M.C., you have to look like T.P." Well, it's been over 50 years and I'm STILL WAITING to be as handsome as Mr. Power (probably NOT going to happen -- what's your guess?). So, here I am in (advanced) middle age, still functioning under the delusion that you have to look like Mr. Power in order to secure the attentions of the lady of your dreams. How messed up is THAT? Silliness aside, the movie is thin on (rational) plot but long on star-magic. Enjoy Mr. Power and Ms. Carroll at their loveliest and Mr. Saunders at his most vile. The rest of the flic is just and excuse to watch them dress up in period costumes.

Robert J. Maxwell This is one of a sort of sub-genre that appeared on screens in the late 1930s. Let's see, there were biographies of all these tycoons, inventors, and successful businessmen -- Alexander Graham Bell, Reuters, Dr. Ehrlich, Robert Koch, and even Diamond Jim Brady. It's hard to imagine why these stories were so popular in the depths of the Great Depression. Maybe hope sells.Handsome Tyrone Power is the fictional Jonathan Blake who rises to a position of importance within the insurance company, Lloyd's of London, in the late 1790s, earnest here, rather than dashing. His girl is Madeleine Carrol. His friend from boyhood is Horatio Nelson. You know, Nelson? Trafalgar Square? His enemy is the dandyish, rich George Sanders who plays a snobbish cad for a change. He's marvelous with all that frothy lace at his neck. He's adopted a tendency to speak with a patina of elegance, pronouncing the word "me" as "meh." As in, "She died and left meh her entire faw-tyune." I have no idea how much of this tale is fabricated, though I doubt that a man pulled up in front of the tavern that housed the original Lloyd's and asked to see Doctor Johnson. (That would be Samuel Johnson, who said: "Of all noises, I think music is the least disagreeable.") Who is asking? the doorman replies. "Benjamin Franklin." It's a nice little touch anyway.There is no poetry here, so don't look for it. The movie is to art as a Boston rocker is to furniture. It is hard and functional. It's designed to get the job done and it accomplishes its goal. It represents old-fashioned Hollywood craftsmanship. It's mostly studio bound but atmospheric as all get out. And it not only entertains, it "educates", as the Moguls would have phrased it.

dbdumonteil A wonderful storybook tale,starring two great actors Tyrone Power (very young) and George Sanders ,ideally cast as the aristocratic villain."Lloyd's of London" begins as one of those children-meet-adult -world tales such as Stevenson's "the treasure island" or Falkner Meade's "Moonfleet".The first thirty minutes feature young Blake and young Nelson ,which is an unusual length but which is necessary because it's a friendship story.Childhood's friendship is the most precious one.All along the movie,we hope that they will meet again....we're looking forward to it...The letter is a very moving moment.The French (and Napoleon) play the parts of other villains ,but the scenarists display a taste for French folk songs:when Madeleine Carroll is arrested ,the soundtrack is made of traditional tunes such as "En passant par la Lorraine" and "Au Clair de la Lune" .Do not ask this movie to be an accurate historical biography.You have never asked that of ,say,Alexandre Dumas.

blanche-2 Tyrone Power was only 22 with a few films and Broadway credits when he was given his first major role in "Lloyds of London." This film was originally assigned to Don Ameche, but Henry King insisted on testing Power and, on viewing the test, told Zanuck he wanted the young man for the role. "In two years," King told Zanuck, "he will be one of the biggest stars ever." Good instincts. Power plays Jonathan Blake, a fictional character, whose childhood friendship with Horatio Nelson helps Nelson through the Napoleonic war. Blake becomes one of the syndicate owners at Lloyd's of London and, against every other syndicate, continues insuring the damaged British fleet so that Nelson has all the power necessary to defeat the French.The radiant Madeline Carroll is Power's love interest and George Sanders is her cad husband. Sanders worked with Power on many films, including the one Power was making when he died 22 years later. Virginia Field is Polly, a young waitress in love with Jonathan, but it's unrequited.The acting is top-notch, including beautiful performances from Freddie Bartholomew and Douglas Nelson as the young Blake and Nelson. Sir Guy Standing is marvelous as Power's mentor. Power is gorgeous, with his unlined face (even with a streak of gray hair as he ages -"Zanuck would never let me age in any film," he once said) and the world's longest eyelashes, and his acting is excellent. He carries the bulk of the film beautifully, conveying a strong presence, though he merely suggests an English accent. Darryl F. Zanuck was his biggest fan and for good reason, as the actor would bring in hit after hit during his long tenure at Twentieth Century Fox.This is a great period piece, interesting as well as touching. Highly recommended.