Make no mistake, "Angels Over Broadway" is nothing more than a vehicle for upcoming Columbia star Rita Hayworth. It's a budget conscious "B" programmer at best with a "B" storyline despite the presence of Ben Hecht as writer/producer/director.
Disgruntled Charles Engle (John Qualen) has been caught by his boss Mr. Hopper (George Watts), with his hand in the till to the tune of $3,000. Engle writes a suicide note and then wanders the streets aimlessly until he goes into a seedy nightclub. Street hustler Bill O'Brien (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) thinks Engle is a millionaire and plans to con him into a high stakes poker game and make off with the proceeds. Gold digger Nina Barona an out of work dancer, enters the picture and O'Brien plans to utilize her in his scheme.
Down on his luck boozy playwright Gene Gibbons (Thomas Mitchell) accidently stumbles upon Engle's suicide note and decides to help him. Now aware that Engle is broke, O'Brien and Gibbons hatch a plan whereby Engel will still participate in the poker game but with a mind to take off as soon as he "wins" the $3,000 he needs to repay Hopper. O'Brien then plans to take whatever money Engle wins over $3,000 for himself.
They four go to a cheap hotel where the gangster laden poker game will take place. Gibbons promptly passes out. O'Brien brings Engle to the game where he "wins" several thousands. He excuses himself to go check on Gibbons but...........................................................................................
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. is totally miscast as the gum chewing con man with the New York Accent. Hecht must have enticed him with an Associate Producer's credit to get him on board. Rita Hayworth was still being built up as a major star at this time and is given several generous close ups through out the film. She does have a dramatic moment near the climax of the film in a scene with Fairbanks. Veteran character actors Mitchell and Qualen steal the film. Mitchell's phone call to his wife is a poignant scene and Qualen's despondent all is lost scenes at the beginning are memorable.
Also in the cast are Ralph Theodore as Dutch Enright, Eddie Foster as Louie Artino and Jack Roper as punch drunk Eddie Burns, crooks all.
Disgruntled Charles Engle (John Qualen) has been caught by his boss Mr. Hopper (George Watts), with his hand in the till to the tune of $3,000. Engle writes a suicide note and then wanders the streets aimlessly until he goes into a seedy nightclub. Street hustler Bill O'Brien (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) thinks Engle is a millionaire and plans to con him into a high stakes poker game and make off with the proceeds. Gold digger Nina Barona an out of work dancer, enters the picture and O'Brien plans to utilize her in his scheme.
Down on his luck boozy playwright Gene Gibbons (Thomas Mitchell) accidently stumbles upon Engle's suicide note and decides to help him. Now aware that Engle is broke, O'Brien and Gibbons hatch a plan whereby Engel will still participate in the poker game but with a mind to take off as soon as he "wins" the $3,000 he needs to repay Hopper. O'Brien then plans to take whatever money Engle wins over $3,000 for himself.
They four go to a cheap hotel where the gangster laden poker game will take place. Gibbons promptly passes out. O'Brien brings Engle to the game where he "wins" several thousands. He excuses himself to go check on Gibbons but...........................................................................................
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. is totally miscast as the gum chewing con man with the New York Accent. Hecht must have enticed him with an Associate Producer's credit to get him on board. Rita Hayworth was still being built up as a major star at this time and is given several generous close ups through out the film. She does have a dramatic moment near the climax of the film in a scene with Fairbanks. Veteran character actors Mitchell and Qualen steal the film. Mitchell's phone call to his wife is a poignant scene and Qualen's despondent all is lost scenes at the beginning are memorable.
Also in the cast are Ralph Theodore as Dutch Enright, Eddie Foster as Louie Artino and Jack Roper as punch drunk Eddie Burns, crooks all.