A rich man (Warren William) starts an affair with a showgirl (Ginger Rogers), and when the girl's manager (J. Carrol Naish), finds out, he decides to blackmail him.A rich man (Warren William) starts an affair with a showgirl (Ginger Rogers), and when the girl's manager (J. Carrol Naish), finds out, he decides to blackmail him.A rich man (Warren William) starts an affair with a showgirl (Ginger Rogers), and when the girl's manager (J. Carrol Naish), finds out, he decides to blackmail him.
J. Carrol Naish
- Lou Colima
- (as J. Carroll Naish)
James P. Burtis
- Cop
- (scenes deleted)
John Elliott
- Crandall
- (scenes deleted)
William Jeffrey
- Bradley
- (scenes deleted)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe airplane in which Stream takes Lilly to upstate NY is a 1931 Bellanca CH400 "Skyrocket," registration NC12635. It was owned by Wallace Beery. Only 32 planes of this variant were made. Subsequently sold to a mining concern in Saudi Arabia, it was destroyed in 1937.
- GoofsThe police are tricked into believing that a man committed suicide with a gun. He was really murdered, shot from across the room. Even a perfunctory medical examination would make the deception impossible--for example, an absence of powder burns.
- Quotes
Officer Moran: I know. I went off my nut on this case. But, I've got to see it through.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Public Enemies: The Golden Age of the Gangster Film (2008)
- SoundtracksWho's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?
(uncredited)
Written by Ann Ronell and Frank Churchill
Sung by Ginger Rogers and Warren William
Featured review
The Shadow of the Code
As a big railroad tycoon, the imposing Warren William carries the film. Too bad this fine actor is largely unknown today, even to many movie buffs. I expect it's partly because he died relatively young (54) many years ago (1948). Nonetheless, he has the looks, bearing, and talent of an exceptional screen presence, and it's always a treat for me to catch him in a new movie.
The plot here is unexceptional— loyal husband Alex Stream (William), strays with chorus girl (Rogers) because wife (Astor) is preoccupied with high society. Problems arise when shady character (Naish) tries to blackmail Stream. Rogers is winning as the rather good-hearted lower class chorine; at the same time, her scenes with William manage a certain charm, though you know the romance has no chance.
Note the film was released in mid-1934. I expect the Production Code's shadow tamed down this screenplay in comparison with earlier William films, such as Employee's Entrance (1933) or Skyscraper Souls (1932). Those screenplays also have William playing a hard-driving businessman. But unlike here, he's also ruthless in dealings and unscrupulous with women. In short, he's got the kind of unpredictable edge that made those pre-Code films so interesting and so threatening to Depression-era big business.
On the other hand, his character here is basically sympathetic, more victim than victimizer. His business dealings remain peripheral, while the relationship with Rogers is more sweet than calculating or sexually provocative. In short, viewers will recognize familiar conventions from the 30-year Code era. The movie's smoothly done with an outstanding cast that includes a restrained Andy Devine, but is otherwise routine entertainment.
The plot here is unexceptional— loyal husband Alex Stream (William), strays with chorus girl (Rogers) because wife (Astor) is preoccupied with high society. Problems arise when shady character (Naish) tries to blackmail Stream. Rogers is winning as the rather good-hearted lower class chorine; at the same time, her scenes with William manage a certain charm, though you know the romance has no chance.
Note the film was released in mid-1934. I expect the Production Code's shadow tamed down this screenplay in comparison with earlier William films, such as Employee's Entrance (1933) or Skyscraper Souls (1932). Those screenplays also have William playing a hard-driving businessman. But unlike here, he's also ruthless in dealings and unscrupulous with women. In short, he's got the kind of unpredictable edge that made those pre-Code films so interesting and so threatening to Depression-era big business.
On the other hand, his character here is basically sympathetic, more victim than victimizer. His business dealings remain peripheral, while the relationship with Rogers is more sweet than calculating or sexually provocative. In short, viewers will recognize familiar conventions from the 30-year Code era. The movie's smoothly done with an outstanding cast that includes a restrained Andy Devine, but is otherwise routine entertainment.
helpful•80
- dougdoepke
- Apr 14, 2010
Details
- Runtime1 hour 13 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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