Leaving one newspaper job because of a drinking problem which has him at odds with his boss, veteran reporter Walter Byron takes on an editor's job at a newspaper with a female boss (Lila Lee) who inherited it and strives to turn it into something more respectable. Byron and Lee fall in love (of course) but their different ideas of journalism has them at odds nearly from the start. when the sympathetic Lee nixes a tabloid story involving a young lady (silent "Our Gang" star Mary Kornman) involved in something scandalous, causing Byron to resign. Their problems leads to more trouble as Byron creates a last headline that puts him in danger, involving old girlfriend Mary Doran, daughter of his old boss Tully Marshall.
A complex story helps this journalism drama rise to something a little better than just your average B programmer. The script is filled with crisp dialog and typically hard-boiled newspaper characters with names like Nosy and Inky. it may not be as well remembered as the earlier masterpieces "The Front Page" and "Five Star Final", but it's pretty good for a film of its type, above-average considering its poverty row film budget. Byron seems far too old for Lee (only by two years, however), and their chemistry isn't necessarily strong. But it's the atmosphere and the often amusing dialogue that will keep alert audiences interested.
A complex story helps this journalism drama rise to something a little better than just your average B programmer. The script is filled with crisp dialog and typically hard-boiled newspaper characters with names like Nosy and Inky. it may not be as well remembered as the earlier masterpieces "The Front Page" and "Five Star Final", but it's pretty good for a film of its type, above-average considering its poverty row film budget. Byron seems far too old for Lee (only by two years, however), and their chemistry isn't necessarily strong. But it's the atmosphere and the often amusing dialogue that will keep alert audiences interested.
