THE RETURN OF A RAT (1929) Ivor Novello, Isabel Jeans & Mabel Poulton | Crime | B&W | Free Movie

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The Return of the Rat is a 1929 British sound drama film directed by Graham Cutts and starring Ivor Novello, Isabel Jeans and Mabel Poulton. While the film has no audible dialog, it was released with a synchronized musical score with sound effects. It was made by Gainsborough Pictures at their Islington Studios. It was also released in a silent version for cinemas not wired for sound.

Synopsis

Pierre and Zélie are now married, but it is clear that the union has hit trouble. The latest manifestation of Zélie's restless, capricious nature is heavy gambling, to Pierre's disapproval. He nags her about her habit, but is ignored. Having tamed Pierre, Zélie now finds herself bored with him and starts to flirt openly with the wealthy Henri. Her dismissive attitude towards Pierre, coupled with her continual desire to put him down and belittle him, finally causes him to leave her and return once again to his old haunt, the White Coffin Club.

The White Coffin is now ruled by Morel, and Pierre has to outwit him in order to reassert his dominance. In the process he attracts the devotion of barmaid Lisette. Pierre and his followers hatch an elaborate scheme to humiliate Zélie and gain revenge on her for her transgressions. Matters take a sinister turn when Zélie is murdered during a party she is throwing for her society friends to celebrate her new association with Henri. The police believe they have evidence incriminating Pierre for the crime, and once again he finds himself pursued through the back streets of Paris by the forces of the law. Pierre has to use all his wits and cunning to evade the police while finding evidence to prove the real identity of Zélie's killer.

Cast & Crew

Ivor Novello as Pierre Boucheron
Isabel Jeans as Zélie de Chaumet
Mabel Poulton as Lisette
Gordon Harker as Morel
Marie Ault as Mère Colline
Bernard Nedell as Henri
Gladys Frazin as Yvonne Sasan
Harry Terry as Alf

Directed by: Graham Cutts
Written by: Angus MacPhail, Edgar C. Middleton, A. Neil Lyons
Produced by: Michael Balcon, C. M. Woolf
Cinematography: Roy F. Overbaugh
Music by: W.L. Trytel
Production Company: Gainsborough Pictures
Distributed by: Woolf & Freedman Film Service
Release Date: May 1929
Running Time: 84 minutes
Country: United Kingdom
Languages: Synchronized Sound, English Intertitles
Scotch Kelly as Bill