I found this film in the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, it became a habit for me to find these films I otherwise never would have, and I hoped it was deserving of this listing, directed by Raoul Walsh (The Thief of Bagdad, High Sierra, White Heat). Basically, in New York, Danny Dolan (Spencer Tracy) is a good-natured cop whose beat is on the waterfront. Almost nothing happens there, until Danny saves the life of a Drunk (Will Stanton) who falls into the river. He is promoted to detective, while the drunk makes frequent appearances, continuing to drink heavily and cause mishaps to the local businesses. Danny makes acquaintance with wisecracking diner waitress Helen Riley (Joan Bennett). The potential romance is held back however by each of them trying to maintain their tough self-image and not admitting their true feelings. Meanwhile, Helen's hair-brained sister Kate (Marion Burns) used to date dull seaman Eddie Collins (George Chandler). But she finds herself being drawn to Duke Castage (George Walsh, Raoul's brother), a sleazy low-level gangster, despite his horrid attitude towards her. Danny and Helen know Duke is bad news, and Danny wants to put the mobster in prison before he can hurt Kate. Duke is arrested, but manages to break out of prison, and Kate is foolish to allow him to hide at her home. Eddie's father Pat "Pop" (J. Farrell MacDonald), a paralyzed World War I veteran, manages to warn Danny and Helen when they visit about Duke, using eye movements to communicate in Morse code. Duke tries to escape and shoots Danny in the arm, but he gets his own gun out and kills the gangster. In the end, Kate is safe and returns to Eddie, and Danny and Helen finally admit their feelings for each other. Also starring Noel Madison as Baby Face Castenega, Henry B. Walthall as Sergeant "Sarge" John Collins, Bert Hanlon as Jake and Adrian Morris Detective "Al" Allen. Tracy and Bennett give naturalistic performances, they went onto much bigger success later. There are maybe one or two small titters to be had, the sort-of love story is alright, and the gangster stuff is nonsense, overall, this is a slow-paced, clunky, almost forgettable but not terrible classic romantic comedy drama. Okay!
Review of Me and My Gal
