Catch that brief nightclub scene where the party-goers empty their flasks as the cops charge through. Yup, it's still Prohibition, 1930, though illegal booze doesn't figure in the plot. Instead, it's gangster Fenmore finding out just how much bad guy he is. That's courtesy the youthful innocents Nancy and Tommy who get implicated in his shenanigans. All in all, it's a tepid 65-minutes, without much suspense. Mainly, actor-director Sherman gets to show his skills in what amounts to more of a character study than a crime drama. Note how expressively Sherman uses his eyes to convey what's going on inside. It's really his showcase. I was also impressed by an unknown (to me) Hugh Trevor as tough guy Rocky. Too bad he had such a brief career. And what about plug-ugly George Marion as Mouse. Facially, he resembles Wallace Beery on a really bad day. Here, the cast outshines the plot.
Since talkies are still fairly new, scenes are pretty much confined to indoor sets, though some like the mansion living room are striking. I guess my only real gripe is why they had to make the two kids so sweetly innocent. They fairly drip sugar. Anyway, the film amounts to a programmer, 1930's style, and not much more.
Since talkies are still fairly new, scenes are pretty much confined to indoor sets, though some like the mansion living room are striking. I guess my only real gripe is why they had to make the two kids so sweetly innocent. They fairly drip sugar. Anyway, the film amounts to a programmer, 1930's style, and not much more.