This early RKO Radio talkie begins with a scene introducing two incredibly naive juveniles whose unfortunate task is to present the exposition via some of the most obvious dialogue imaginable. Later scenes reveal better dialogue and acting, especially from director Lowell Sherman, a Broadway veteran whose polished, dandified, debonair character uses his big eyes to punctuate his lines. It's all unbelievable and frightfully innocent, but there's some good fun to be had. The women's frocks are particularly unfortunate. But Sherman's performance saves this from being a complete throw-a-way. His performance reminds one of Warner Baxter or William Powell.
The film is based on the play CRIME by Samuel Shipman and John B. Hymer. It had a good run of 186 performances at the Eltinge Theatre in New York from February to August 1927. Among the cast were Sylvia Sidney as Annabelle and Chester Morris as Rocky. In 1938, Morris starred in a new film version called LAW OF THE UNDERWORLD essaying the role of Gene Fillmore (Fenmore in the play and first film version).
The film is based on the play CRIME by Samuel Shipman and John B. Hymer. It had a good run of 186 performances at the Eltinge Theatre in New York from February to August 1927. Among the cast were Sylvia Sidney as Annabelle and Chester Morris as Rocky. In 1938, Morris starred in a new film version called LAW OF THE UNDERWORLD essaying the role of Gene Fillmore (Fenmore in the play and first film version).