Seven Sinners

When Dietrich closes her eyes, lights up a long cigarette, and croaks something about being a bad girl, she does more for vice than Prohibition or the Anti-Saloon League. In Seven Sinners she in 1940's version of the Wicked Woman and once again makes the occupation seem more than rewarding. Seven Sinners is an extremely enjoyable concoction of Asiatic intrigue and adventure; it is also a natural for Miss Dietrich's unusual virtues.

The plot alone is at least a bare indication of how well her talent can be utilized. Miss Dietrich takes the part of a vagrant cafe-singer with an ability to incite admirers to riot. Because of this, she is deported from one East Indian island to another, even though her position with cafe society and the Navy remains secure. Her main task in Seven Sinners is to flirt with sailors, look sultry, and sing some of Frank Lesser's best lyrics. When breathing "I'm in the Mood for Love," Miss Dietrich's performance is especially provocative.

Accompanying her are two other stars who were not so well known fourteen years ago, but whose performances were accurate prevues of the future. Broderick Crawford, as a fellow derelict, is a slob not so far removed from his role in All the king's Men. Unfortunately he has little to do but yell "gangway" while ushering Dietrich through crowds of unrestrained worshippers. And John Wayne, playing a wholesome young lieutenant, has not strayed much from the clean-cut but two-fisted type.

In the film's few serious moments, Lieutenant Wayne and siren Dietrich fall in love. The Navy objects, making at least one moral quite clear; goodies and evil just don't blend well. Otherwise, Seven Sinners emphasizes the lighter side with some funny lines ("Why don't you come up to my apartment for a snack . . . that's food") and plenty of slapstick. Aside from a few serious scenes which seem clumsy, the film is more than good fun.