Sweet Marion Shilling's training in stock as a child did not seem to bode well for the movies but she began at the top in MGM's "Wise Girls" (1929)- her next one, however, bought her undone. It was "Lord Byron of Broadway" - MGM had hopes it was going to be their musical of the year but maybe because of the unlikeability of the main star (he played an ego driven song smith who deserts his real friends on his way to the top) it was a huge flop and as a result Shilling soon found herself on an express to poverty row. Her option was picked up by Paramount for a few films and even though for all her top female billing in this one she only made her appearance around the 39 minute mark, she still had a cute and winning personality!!
It was up to exotic Natalie Moorehead, she of the vamp supreme, to grab the juiciest female part. She plays Ethel George who after a night on the town with debonair James Montgomery (William Powell) returns to her apartment and into the flying fists of her "sugar daddy"!! Appropriately attired in black underwear!!! she flies to the gentlemanly Montgomery who after intervening between the sparing pair accidentally causes the man's death!! Ethel flees and James faces the law alone with no-one to confirm it was self defence.
This movie is all story with more twists than a winding road. It's nice to see Paul Hurst in a sympathetic role, he plays Pete Shore, Jame's prison buddy whose friendship is cemented when James is asked by authorities to turn "stoolie" on his mate but refuses. Next comes "I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang" deja vu (maybe that illustrious film copied this more lowly one) - James has escaped and two years later he is working as a factory manager down South under a new name. He is eager to find Ethel so she can go to the authorities and corroborate his innocence, he has a new girl, sweet Ethel and wants to clear his name so he can hold his head high. And while Ethel sounds contrite with "I've gone through hell, knowing I've let James down", her only thought is to shake him down to the tune of $50,000!!! Regis Toomey who after his break through role the year before in "Alibi" must have wondered where his career was heading - he has just a walk on role as a man Ethel picks up on the train bound for South Carolina!!
This is one early talkie that could not be accused of being static. Powell as usual gives a dependable performance and shows why he was going to be around for many years to come!!
It was up to exotic Natalie Moorehead, she of the vamp supreme, to grab the juiciest female part. She plays Ethel George who after a night on the town with debonair James Montgomery (William Powell) returns to her apartment and into the flying fists of her "sugar daddy"!! Appropriately attired in black underwear!!! she flies to the gentlemanly Montgomery who after intervening between the sparing pair accidentally causes the man's death!! Ethel flees and James faces the law alone with no-one to confirm it was self defence.
This movie is all story with more twists than a winding road. It's nice to see Paul Hurst in a sympathetic role, he plays Pete Shore, Jame's prison buddy whose friendship is cemented when James is asked by authorities to turn "stoolie" on his mate but refuses. Next comes "I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang" deja vu (maybe that illustrious film copied this more lowly one) - James has escaped and two years later he is working as a factory manager down South under a new name. He is eager to find Ethel so she can go to the authorities and corroborate his innocence, he has a new girl, sweet Ethel and wants to clear his name so he can hold his head high. And while Ethel sounds contrite with "I've gone through hell, knowing I've let James down", her only thought is to shake him down to the tune of $50,000!!! Regis Toomey who after his break through role the year before in "Alibi" must have wondered where his career was heading - he has just a walk on role as a man Ethel picks up on the train bound for South Carolina!!
This is one early talkie that could not be accused of being static. Powell as usual gives a dependable performance and shows why he was going to be around for many years to come!!