the nation's loyalty by marrying the Grand Duchess and keeping the pact with Russia a secret. The count becomes a masked freedom fighter named "The Torch" after the underground newspaper in order to save the Grand Duchy. He then sets out to right the wrongs and capture the heart of the woman he loves. Cast Louis Hayward as Edmond Dantès, Jr. Joan Bennett as Grand Duchess Zona George Sanders as Gen. Gurko Lanen Florence Bates as Countess Mathilde Lionel Royce as Col. Zimmerman Montagu Love as Baron Von Neuhoff Ian Wolfe as Conrad Stadt Clayton Moore as Lt. Fritz Dorner Ralph Byrd as William Gluck Georges Renavent as French Ambassador Michael Visaroff as Prince Pavlov Rand Brooks as Hans Mirbach Theodore Von Eltz as Captain James Seay as Lieutenant Henry Brandon as Sgt. Schultz Jack Mulhall as Schmidt Edward Keane as Turnkey Stanley Andrews as Turnkey Charles Trowbridge as Priest Wyndham Standing as Chamberlain Lionel Belmore as Hercules Snyder Ted Billings as Townsman (uncredited) Dwight Frye as Pavlov's Secretary (uncredited) Lawrence Grant as The Baron (uncredited) Production A sequel to The Count of Monte Cristo was announced almost immediately after the first film's success. At one stage Robert Donat, Melvyn Douglas and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. were named as stars; Jean Arthur was also being considered for a lead role. Reception The Son of Monte Cristo was widely panned by critics. Bosley Crowther of The New York Times called the film "just a routine retelling of a conventional sword-and-cape adventure tale" and "a juvenile masquerade, acted as such and strangely suggestive of a Flash Gordon serial in costume. The old Count should turn in his grave". Variety called it, "... (a) plodding offspring of a famed father ... Director Rowland V. Lee must share the pillory with writer George Bruce for 'The Son', although Louis Hayward and Joan Bennett in the top roles are not far from the stocks". Harrison's Reports wrote: "Patrons who remember how entertaining was 'The Count of Monte Cristo' may flock to the box-office to see this picture. But if they expect to find this as exciting as the first, they will be disappointed. The story is routine and the plot developments obvious; moreover, even though the players try hard, they are not very convincing". Film Daily wrote: "Picture should entertain the average audience, although it has several faults. The dialogue is static in places and the