JohnHowardReid 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?

movingpicturegal This film features a basic plot line we've all seen many times in many different films and that is this - a more appropriate, more handsome man tries to catch, before it's too late, a woman about to be married to a less appropriate, "wrong" man. In this film, Loretta Young plays the beautiful daughter of the Minister of Finance, and she is set to marry, in four days time, a wealthy, but gruff and rather ugly old man (well - there's really no other way I could put it!) - the reasons for her odd choice of partner are a secret. When she meets grinning, conceited Larry O'Brien (played by Douglas Fairbanks Jr.), he is immediately in love and uses a bunch of tricks and schemes in an attempt to win her for himself. She seems to dislike him (but, of course, in the way of most movies from then to now, she *really* secretly likes him).There is some humor in this, mostly of the Three Stooges / slap-in-the-face variety, plus some funny scenes with Claud Allister as Larry's gay sidekick Archie. Loretta Young really has little to do in this film other than look gorgeous in beautiful gowns and dangling earrings. Boris Karloff also has little to do in this film other than slink in and out of the room as butler. The actor who plays her father acts in a sort of bugged-out eyes style, but I guess it's supposed to be funny. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. tries to be charming, but he comes across to me as not particularly interesting - he's just sort of there. Okay film, but nothing great - a middle-range time filler, mainly for fans of Loretta Young.

John Seal Doug Fairbanks Jr. stars as an ugly American-style tourist stranded in a corrupt Central American Ruritania, only to fall in love with the daughter (Loretta Young) of the country's finance minister (Henry Kolker) days before her wedding to the local millionaire (Edward Breon). This First National production was obviously done on the cheap, as there are numerous technical flaws and even a few flubbed lines by Fairbanks. The film was attractively shot by Ernest Haller, however, and there are some impressive sets probably left over from a big budget feature. Sixth billed Boris Karloff has about two dozen words as Luigi, the butler, character actor Luis Alberni shows up as a local restarauteur, and Claud Allister plays a gay British diplomat ("everyone KNOWS I'm a bachelor!"). It's a cheap and cheerful early talkie, so suspend your disbelief and enjoy the ride.

whpratt1 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 !