The Road to Singapore

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The Road to Singapore (1931)

The Road to Singapore is a 1931 American pre-Code romantic drama directed by Alfred E. Green. It stars William Powell and Doris Kenyon, with Louis Calhern. Warner Bros. produced and distributed the film, and Anton Grot designed the sets. The movie runs 70 minutes and is in English. It is preserved by the Library of Congress.

Plot
On an ocean liner from Colombo to Singapore, Hugh Dawltry, a charming rogue, tries to get closer to Philippa Crosby. They discover they’re both getting off at Khota. Once ashore, Philippa reveals she is married to Dr. George March, Dawltry’s neighbor, and she is unhappy because he is absorbed in his work and won’t give her attention.

Philippa grows attracted to Dawltry. The drums of native villages announce four days of marriages, prompting thoughts about love for Philippa, Dawltry, and George’s 18-year-old sister Rene. Rene sneaks into Dawltry’s bungalow, but he frightens her into leaving by lifting her and carrying her into his bedroom. George sees this and confronts his sister about being at Dawltry’s house. He forces Rene to accompany him, and they travel to Dawltry’s place, where George threatens Dawltry with a gun.

Philippa later goes to Dawltry’s house, and they confess their feelings. Dawltry invites Philippa to join him on a sailing trip the next day. Meanwhile, a patient with a rare disease dies, and George cancels his own trip, more worried about not being photographed with the patient than anything else.

Back home, Rene finds Philippa’s invitation and tries to hide it. George demands to see it, grabs a pistol, and goes to confront Dawltry. After a tense confrontation, Philippa tells Dawltry she is leaving because he is cold and cares more about scandal than her. She drives off in a car, and Dawltry dresses and goes after her. He tells George it’s his last chance, but George cannot bring himself to shoot.