My only hesitation with moving The Mouthpiece up the list is that the few people I’ve shown it to seem to expect the shocks and it plays a little more cliche than I’d like. Not a fault of the movie, but I suppose time.

You’re probably right on the first Lone Wolf, my problem is I’d have a hard time sitting through that movie with whoever I was showing it to–I love Ida Lupino, but not here. She grates on me more than I could ever imagine for some reason, like fingernails across a blackboard.

THE MOUTHPIECE
EMPLOYEES’ ENTRANCE
SKYSCRAPER SOULS
LADY FOR A DAY
THE MIND READER
CASE OF THE HOWLING DOG
DON’T BET ON BLONDES
LONE WOLF SPY HUNT
THE DARK HORSE
THE MATCH KING

It’s always a chore to decide what to show newcomers first. The trouble with introducing Warren William is divining the attitude of the new viewer. I’ve screened Employees’ Entrance for a few people who hated Kurt Anderson so much that they didn’t like Warren – others found it utterly compelling and thought he was great. It takes a certain temperament to appreciate him in those nasty roles. The Mouthpiece, however, never seems to fail to create an impression. I doubled it with Lady For a Day for 15 friends, and although they all enjoyed LFAD, everyone was bowled over by The Mouthpiece.

BTW – I guess I’m in kind of the minority here – I think WW is GREAT in Lady for a Day. The story clearly focuses on May Robson, but when Warren is on screen, he’s brilliant. (“Hmph. piERRe!”)

I see your point, Cliff, about the Lone Wolf appearances, but I think that the first one probably has Warren’s best (read: most disciplined) performance, and as overall entertainment is the best of the lot. After all, we’re selling the newbie on WW, not Hall and Blore, et al.

Keep up the great work!