This film is based on a stage play by Sean O'Casey and adapted to the screen by Alfred Hitchcock. This is Hitchcock's first film that was talking from the start. A previous movie, "Blackmail" was first filmed as a silent movie and then parts re-filmed with talking. It is set during the Irish Civil war and death is very near. The movie is about the Boyle family. The father Captain Boyle (Edward Chapman) is a vagabond who always says he is injured so as to not work. The matriarch, Juno Boyle (Sara Allgood) keeps the family together. Their son, Johnny (John Laurie) has been injured in the civil war and is suffering shell shock (PTSD). Their daughter, Mary (Kathleen O'Regan) has a suitor who is a solicitor and announces that Captain Boyle is to inherit money. The family then begins to live lavishly on credit. The also have many friends for a time. When the inheritance doesn't turn out the bill collectors start to pile up and the friends disappear. They are ruined. Juno leaves the Captain who continues in personal personal oblivion.
This story seems it would be better in a play than a movie. However the highlight was people singing around the table. They were having a good time. Sara Allgood does a very good job portraying the mother, and dealing with the captain, even when Mary is pregnant. She goes with her daughter. Then Johnny is killed and she deals the grief.
