The Son Of Monte Cristo (1940)

An ambitious general (George Sanders) has plans to take over the throne of Lichtenberg and its Queen (Joan Bennett) along with it. But the Count of Monte Cristo or rather his son and heir (Louis Hayward) joins forces with the country's rebels to quash Sanders' dictatorial reign and gain the Queen's hand for himself. Directed by Rowland V. Lee (TOWER OF LONDON), this is an unassuming agreeable if warmed over B&W swashbuckler. Hayward is a rather phlegmatic hero, posing as a fop during the day and a masked avenger called The Torch at night but Sanders, sporting a close razor haircut, makes for an intimidating villain. Lee's direction is rather stolid but Bennett makes for a most enticing damsel in distress. Two supporting players are in top form, Ian Wolfe as the unctuous Judas spy and the marvelous Florence Bates as Bennett's lady in waiting. The film's elegant art direction by Edward Boyle and John DuCasse Schultze received an Oscar nomination. With Montagu Love and Clayton Moore.