When most folks who love old movies hear the name Todd Browning, they think of the ultra-creepy films he directed--stuff like "Dracula", "Freaks" and "The Unknown". However, Browning did also direct some 'normal' films, and "Fast Workers" is nothing like his scary and dark pictures. Instead, this film is a pre-code sleaze- fest--a film that drips cynicism from start to finish. It also marks the end of John Gilbert's career with MGM.
Gunner (Gilbert) is a guy who spends his evenings in bars and chasing floozies. He is hardly the romantic type--more the sort of guy who can see through cheap dames and loves 'em for what they are. His pal, Bucker (Robert Armstrong) THINKS he's also wise to women but in reality he's naive and kind of stupid. When Bucker meets Mary (Mae Clark), he believes all the ridiculous lies that she hands him to get his money and soon he believes he and Mary are going to become husband and wife. But while she's dating Bucker, she's also hanging with Gunner---and she's more than willing to have both men at the same time and bleed Bucker dry. When Gunner realizes what's happening a rare thing bothers him...his conscience. As for Mary, the same might just be happening as well. What's next?
This film is very typical of many pre-code films--it's extremely jaded and coarse compared to later Hollywood movies. Women are mostly tramps and men are often idiots or pimp-types. Seen today, it might shock viewers who have no idea that films from about 1930 to mid 1934 were often wild and espoused a very loose sort of morality!
For me, despite the film's ridiculously high score of 8.2, it had some serious problems. The writing wasn't great. In particular, Armstrong's character was just TOO stupid--and wasn't very believable. Had the guy been toned down a bit and therefore more believable, the film would have worked better. Plus, with Mary and Gunner being so amoral...how could they possibly have pangs of conscience?! A film with some very interesting moments (such as when the guys building the skyscraper are staring in windows at naked women), but a sub-par film for Browning and a sad end to Gilbert's career with a great studio. Despite excellent reviews by most folks, I agree with Lionel-21--it was the nadir for both guys' careers.
Gunner (Gilbert) is a guy who spends his evenings in bars and chasing floozies. He is hardly the romantic type--more the sort of guy who can see through cheap dames and loves 'em for what they are. His pal, Bucker (Robert Armstrong) THINKS he's also wise to women but in reality he's naive and kind of stupid. When Bucker meets Mary (Mae Clark), he believes all the ridiculous lies that she hands him to get his money and soon he believes he and Mary are going to become husband and wife. But while she's dating Bucker, she's also hanging with Gunner---and she's more than willing to have both men at the same time and bleed Bucker dry. When Gunner realizes what's happening a rare thing bothers him...his conscience. As for Mary, the same might just be happening as well. What's next?
This film is very typical of many pre-code films--it's extremely jaded and coarse compared to later Hollywood movies. Women are mostly tramps and men are often idiots or pimp-types. Seen today, it might shock viewers who have no idea that films from about 1930 to mid 1934 were often wild and espoused a very loose sort of morality!
For me, despite the film's ridiculously high score of 8.2, it had some serious problems. The writing wasn't great. In particular, Armstrong's character was just TOO stupid--and wasn't very believable. Had the guy been toned down a bit and therefore more believable, the film would have worked better. Plus, with Mary and Gunner being so amoral...how could they possibly have pangs of conscience?! A film with some very interesting moments (such as when the guys building the skyscraper are staring in windows at naked women), but a sub-par film for Browning and a sad end to Gilbert's career with a great studio. Despite excellent reviews by most folks, I agree with Lionel-21--it was the nadir for both guys' careers.