The nominal stars were Eric Linden and Sidney Fox but the ones everyone will remember are Edward Arnold as head racketeer Jig Skelli and Louis Calhern as the cool and callous Assistant District Attorney John Wade. The movie was based on the controversial play, "Merry Go Round' which only ran for about 40 performances but was all about blatant municipal corruption.
Eric Linden excelled in another of his "tragic boy of the screen" roles. He plays Ted Martin, a bellboy in a big city apartment. When he answers a call for room service he gets caught in the cross fire of a gangland shooting. Ted is shot and left for dead but he lives and identifies Jig Skelli as the assailant - even though his young wife Peggy (Sidney Fox) has already been threatened - if he talks!!! Of course the local council is completely corrupt and in the racketeer's pockets. When honest judges and councilors quit in disgust, they are replaced with stooges. Ted becomes embroiled in a nightmare world where the only other trustworthy person is his wife. After being persuaded (by being given police protection) to identify Skelli, Wade "through the kindness of his heart" sends Ted and his wife to another city to start over, but before they can leave, Ted is hauled off to the police station where he is given a massive beating to persuade him to confess to the crime as it will get everyone of the hook!!
The scenes of "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" must have been a real eye opener for the public. The municipal meetings, not being able to start until the real "civic leaders" - Jig and his boys - arrive, to give their orders. The Mayor (Berton Churchill) is a silent partner in "Skellis" speakeasy and Louis Calhern is a standout with his icy coolness that never deserts him, even at the end. There is always a gangster's moll, this time played by Mayo Methot and she is suitably slinky, warbles a tune and even manages to switch allegiances to Wade - or does she??
It was also the end of the line for Sidney Fox as well. It was her last role for Universal and it was a part that any young actress could have played. Her complicated love affairs had ruined her career. Eric Linden had a few dramatic moments as the innocent bellboy, but unfortunately only had another year of outstanding roles left. His sensitive boy next door style was being replaced by rugged he man types, such as Clark Gable etc.
Highly Recommended.
Eric Linden excelled in another of his "tragic boy of the screen" roles. He plays Ted Martin, a bellboy in a big city apartment. When he answers a call for room service he gets caught in the cross fire of a gangland shooting. Ted is shot and left for dead but he lives and identifies Jig Skelli as the assailant - even though his young wife Peggy (Sidney Fox) has already been threatened - if he talks!!! Of course the local council is completely corrupt and in the racketeer's pockets. When honest judges and councilors quit in disgust, they are replaced with stooges. Ted becomes embroiled in a nightmare world where the only other trustworthy person is his wife. After being persuaded (by being given police protection) to identify Skelli, Wade "through the kindness of his heart" sends Ted and his wife to another city to start over, but before they can leave, Ted is hauled off to the police station where he is given a massive beating to persuade him to confess to the crime as it will get everyone of the hook!!
The scenes of "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" must have been a real eye opener for the public. The municipal meetings, not being able to start until the real "civic leaders" - Jig and his boys - arrive, to give their orders. The Mayor (Berton Churchill) is a silent partner in "Skellis" speakeasy and Louis Calhern is a standout with his icy coolness that never deserts him, even at the end. There is always a gangster's moll, this time played by Mayo Methot and she is suitably slinky, warbles a tune and even manages to switch allegiances to Wade - or does she??
It was also the end of the line for Sidney Fox as well. It was her last role for Universal and it was a part that any young actress could have played. Her complicated love affairs had ruined her career. Eric Linden had a few dramatic moments as the innocent bellboy, but unfortunately only had another year of outstanding roles left. His sensitive boy next door style was being replaced by rugged he man types, such as Clark Gable etc.
Highly Recommended.