CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Roman Sampson One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Paynbob It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Marva It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Red-Barracuda Trapped by Television equates to a bit more than most 30's cinematic potboilers. It may include a number of the tropes that genre films from that decade usually have but it is distinct in that it is quite historically interesting. The reason for this is that it depicts a 30's view of television – a technology that hadn't actually happened at that point in time yet. Interestingly, the film speculates that these devices would not only be able to receive signals but to transmit them as well. To this end we have an inventor devise an elaborate art deco TV that can do just this. The plot-line surrounding this has him needing financial backing and going to a shady businessman, while a gang of criminals gets involved seeing this new invention as a potentially massive money-maker.It's actually quite a decent premise for one of these flicks, given that, as we all know perfectly well, television would soon go on to be perhaps the most successful and influential technological development of the 20th century and the depiction of how it could work in this movie is charming and entertainingly quaint. Aside from all this, the plot-line still has the usual requisite elements seen in umpteen films from the period such as a male/female duo, a comedy-relief character – in this case a science-loving debt collector and dastardly villains. And to top it all off, it rounds off with a satisfying extended fight sequence and there's really nothing wrong with that either.

BA_Harrison 'Trapped by Television': an intriguing title that sounds as though the film might feature people being accidentally sucked into the fictional realm of TV.It doesn't.In 1936, television was very much in its infancy and the mere idea of broadcasting images was still fantastical enough to be the subject of a whole movie. This fun romantic drama/thriller sees Lyle Talbot as inventor Fred Dennis, who finally perfects his television camera and receiver set with support from opportunistic promoter Barbara 'Bobby' Blake (Mary Astor), her secretary Mae Collins (Joyce Compton) and well-meaning bill collector Rocky O'Neil (Nat Pendleton). Paragon Broadcasting CEO John Curtis (Thurston Hall) shows interest in the invention, and success for Dennis and pals looks assured, but a corrupt Paragon employee has other plans and sets out to sabotage their demonstration.A light-hearted romp that proves all the more interesting from a historical angle, 'Trapped by Television' is a surprisingly entertaining piece of fluff, with decent performances from its likable leads, some reasonable scenes of tension, and the coolest looking television camera you're ever likely to see—an incredible hunk of art-deco metal and glass that is equal parts machine and objet d'art.No-one has to battle their way out of a cathode-ray-tube world of make believe, but the film is worth seeing nonetheless.

MartinHafer The story begins at a collection agency. The boss is angry at Nat Pendleton (who plays his typical likable idiot in this film) because he's been a total failure at the job--particularly since Pendleton is too nice a guy for this sort of work. However, he gives him one more chance--he's to either get the money or parts bought by a young inventor (Lyle Talbot). But, when Pendleton sees the cool television that Talbot is working on, he becomes excited about it and offers to buy Talbot dinner AND help him get a job so he can afford to work on his experimental TV! I had a laugh when moments later, Pendleton introduced Talbot to the boss--and got him a job as a collection agent as well! How did he convince the boss? He told him that Talbot had job gotten out of jail for roughing up people on his previous job as a collection agent! At that point, Talbot begins threatening the boss--and is hired! Soon, Talbot is sent out to collect from a client (Mary Astor). She is broke but Talbot, like Pendleton, is a softy and cannot bring himself to repossess the property. Instead, they strike up a friendship and she promises she'll help him find financing for his television, though considering she's broke this seems like a hollow gesture. But Astor has the "gift of blarney" and is somehow able to get the $200 Talbot needs. Things certainly are looking up for his invention. However, some crooks decide to sabotage the machine so that they can capitalize on television--leaving Talbot and his friends flat broke. What happens next is something you'll have to see for yourself.I guess I have a soft spot for this movie. Since it's one of the earliest movies to discuss the new medium of TV, it's actually a very important historical piece. Plus, at the time, audiences must have been pretty excited to see this new gizmo. The acting is pretty good, there are a few nice laughs and it's a pleasant little B-movie. Not great but certainly pretty good and worth seeing--especially if you like films from the classic era in Hollywood.

dbborroughs The inventor of an improved form of TV battles crooks and crooked broadcasters to remain alive and remain in control of his invention.That sounds much more exciting than it is. This is a well made, well acted story that has a weird mix of humor and thrills. You have the crooks trying to steal the invention which is very good, and then you have things like the character of the dopey bill collector who seems to come from a very good broad comedy. The problem is that the two styles don't really blend and you end up with a movie thats neither, as well as being just sort of okay. Its a bland affair that never really held my attention.Worth trying if you run across it, but probably not worth running out to get.