A Gentleman of Paris (1931) was an interesting Gaumont-British film directed by Sinclair Hill. It was listed among UK’s first talking films that was also a crime thriller.
The film was based on an English suspense novel, His Honour the Judge. Its author was film director Sinclair Hill’s Indian friend, playwright, storywriter and filmmaker, Niranjan Pal. Though not involved in the film adaptation of the novel, Pal was prominently credited as the storywriter since his name appears in big bold letters at the very start of the film.
One of the early talking British films, A Gentleman of Paris had a famous stage actress turned film actress Sybil Thorndike in a theatrical but convincing and significant negative role as Lola Duval. It also starred Arthur Wontner as the French Judge opposite actress Vanda Greville. Other actors included Phyllis Konstam and Hugh Williams.
Dame Sybil Thorndike in A Gentleman of Paris, 1931
