THE PRESIDENT VANISHES (1934)

While attending graduation exercises at the Annapolis Naval Academy, President Stanley is called back to Washington for an emergency: Europe has gone to war, and there is pressure in Congress and from the American people for the United States to get directly involved. However, after the experiences of World War I, Stanley is inclined toward isolationism, as is a large anti-war movement in the country. That night, lobbyist D.L. Voorman holds a secret meeting of powerful men who think war will be good for the country, the economy, the arms industry, and them. Voorman's wife suggests the slogan "Save America's honor" for their propaganda campaign, and they decide to ally themselves with the Grayshirts, a quasi-fascist group led by Lincoln Lee who brutally attack pacifist rallies (and individuals). Meanwhile the President, knowing that Congress is about to override him and declare war, fears that a "Declaration of Independence for industrialists" will come out of this action and assumes that impeachment proceedings will begin against him. The next day, the president fails to show up for an appearance in Congress and evidence suggests that he may have been kidnapped. The attention of Congress and the country turns toward the kidnapping. Val, a grocery boy who was the last person to have had personal contact with the President, and the President's secretary Brownell become people of interest. Secret Serviceman Chick Moffat is in charge of the investigation, reporting to Secretary of War Lewis Wardell. Lee, who is mentally unstable, is the prime suspect, but when Chick's girlfriend Alma finds evidence that might lead to the kidnappers, Chick socks her in the jaw, knocking her out. What goes on?

Most reviews of this movie talk openly about the conclusion, technically a Spoiler, but one that does need to be mentioned to discuss the film. The kidnapping turns out to be a hoax: Chick and Val and Brownell have helped the President vanish in order to create a diversion from the war issue. They basically set up Lee to be the chief suspect, and though he is not behind it, he does wind up threatening the life of the President. I suspect the filmmakers—and Rex Stout, the author of the novel this is based on—assumed that would dismiss any qualms the audience might have about the situation, but (though I don’t intend to start one) I think a lively debate about the morals of the chief characters here would be interesting. Like 1933's GABRIEL OVER THE WHITE HOUSE, I think this would leave current audiences torn about the means used to achieve what some, but not all, would consider good ends. At any rate, this works fairly well as a political thriller, though there’s not much action until the final scenes. 

This is a movie without a real leading actor. Arthur Byron, who plays the President, fades into the background, partly because he, as the title puts it, vanishes for the middle of the movie, but also because Byron doesn't have much personality. Edward Arnold, as the Secretary of War, is a much better actor and has top billing but only a handful of scenes. This leaves Paul Kelly (Chick) as the audience's surrogate; he energizes the movie but even he is often relegated to the background for long stretches. The supporting cast is fairly strong. It’s fun to see a young Rosalind Russell in a brief role as the lobbyist's wife; Sidney Blackmer (Ruth Gordon's husband in Rosemary’s Baby) is the lobbyist; Charley Grapewin is a soft-spoken bad guy; Osgood Perkins (Anthony Perkins' father) is Brownell; Andy Devine does an overgrown kid role as Val. The director, William Wellman, went on to direct over 70 movies. This is more interesting than it is truly entertaining, but I liked it. Pictured are Paul Kelly at top left and Rosalind Russell at right. [YouTube]