by Hal Erickson
synopsis
This German drama was advertised as "2% Talkie," meaning that all but 2 1/2 minutes of its running time are silent. The story is set in Australia, where 413 "lottery brides" are shipped to keep the population from depleting. Bride Number 68 is Evelyn Bernheim (Elga Brink), who though she's fallen in love with Australian telegraph operator Dick Ashton (Conrad Veidt) is legally obligated to wed Steve Parker (Clifford McLaglen). Rather than seek out another soulmate, Dick vows to remain an unsullied bachelor for the rest of his life -- which, as it turns out, isn't very long. Likewise coming to a sorry end is an American physician (Matthias), who rescues Steve from an angry mob then falls hopelessly in love with Evelyn himself.
