In this 1932, pre-Code comedy, George Raft is a force of nature as gangster-turned-speakeasy operator Joe Anton, who buys a Manhattan mansion and turns one floor into an elegant, black-tie getaway for the high society set and assorted hangers-on.
While fending off a threat-laced takeover bid for the setup from a rival gang, Joe is also dealing with complications from the women in his life. There’s Iris (Wynne Gibson), who is not taking sudden rejection too kindly. There’s bawdy Maudie (Mae West in her first screen role), whose huge personality takes over every situation. There’s Mabel Jellyman (Alison Skipworth), a middle-aged academic tutoring Joe on intellectual pursuits but living life on the margins. And there’s Jerry (Constance Cummings), who sits alone at a table every night, looking morose but beautiful. Helped by a no-nonsense lieutenant, Joe stays in command of who goes in and out of his bar, but conflicting forces of education, pride, and love begin to loosen his grip.
Director Archie Mayo (Moontide) keeps edgy humor and spikey energy on high throughout the film, while an array of terrific character actors keeps the proceedings fresh. Little signs of pre-Code brazenness abound—a flash of Raft’s bare backside, drunkenness, and galleries of guns. That kind of thing would go away with the Code, so it’s fun to see it here. (Less fun is an aggressive, forced kiss, which may trouble some viewers.) Also enjoyable is West’s comedy chops (she wrote her own dialogue), her sprawling control of every scene she occupies. Strongly recommended. Aud: J, H, C, P.