This would have been a feather in the cap for any fledgling actress, a part, however small, in a prestigious Lon Chaney production. Anita Page originally started as an extra at Paramount studios, she caught the eye of millionaire Harry K. Thaw but the film he planned was never made and MGM eventually bought out her contract. Even this early in her career there is a scene toward the end that requires some heavy dramatics and Anita proves she is up to it - which poses the question yet again, why didn't MGM persevere with her as an actress. Maybe her beauty got in the way!!
This is a tribute to the "plain clothes men" - the part of the police force who infiltrate the tough New York gangs to observe and remember their faces for future reference. Tough Dan Coghlan (Chaney), an old school policeman who finds it easier to catch flies with mud than with honey, is disgusted that once again arch criminal "Mile Away" Skeeter (Wheeler Oakman) is allowed to walk free from the station through lack of evidence. The "I'm going to quit!!" title is followed by a race to the scene of the latest murder - only to find Skeeter is there already!! He says he has now gone legit with the undertaking business but that is only a front for a daring series of fur robberies and giving his old moll Bessie (Mae Busch) the air may prove his undoing!!! Dan feeds her resentment until she is eager to talk but unfortunately she doesn't make it to the witness stand!!
Skeeter has his eye on pretty Myrtle (Anita Page) but Dan is determined to keep her clean, just like her old man would have wanted. Enter Marty (Carroll Nye), like Myrtle another good kid going to the bad but the boy she really loves. Skeeter has plans to get Marty out of the way permanently but by hiding in a coffin Dan gets the dope on the fur robbery. He surprises Marty at the warehouse and with the aid of a mannequin by the open window shows the boy what Skeeter and his gang had planned.
It is an action packed film but really no stretch for Lon who without make-up adds another portrayal to his esteemed gallery. As Dan he has fallen hopelessly in love with Myrtle but his reason for forcing Marty to leave the city is because he just thinks the boy is a ne'er do well. This was an often repeated theme in some films of the twenties - the older guardian who falls in love with his ward. Dan wasn't related to Myrtle but he did look out for her and was a trusted family friend, fortunately she didn't return his affection in that way and by the end Marty returned, eager to claim Myrtle and to shake his "real" friend's hand for putting him on the right path.
In between times there is plenty of gun play, shoot outs. Myrtle is supposed to be put "out of the picture" and there are several scenes of what must be one of the first machine gun battles in the movies and both sides had the sophisticated weaponry at their disposal.
Very Recommended.
This is a tribute to the "plain clothes men" - the part of the police force who infiltrate the tough New York gangs to observe and remember their faces for future reference. Tough Dan Coghlan (Chaney), an old school policeman who finds it easier to catch flies with mud than with honey, is disgusted that once again arch criminal "Mile Away" Skeeter (Wheeler Oakman) is allowed to walk free from the station through lack of evidence. The "I'm going to quit!!" title is followed by a race to the scene of the latest murder - only to find Skeeter is there already!! He says he has now gone legit with the undertaking business but that is only a front for a daring series of fur robberies and giving his old moll Bessie (Mae Busch) the air may prove his undoing!!! Dan feeds her resentment until she is eager to talk but unfortunately she doesn't make it to the witness stand!!
Skeeter has his eye on pretty Myrtle (Anita Page) but Dan is determined to keep her clean, just like her old man would have wanted. Enter Marty (Carroll Nye), like Myrtle another good kid going to the bad but the boy she really loves. Skeeter has plans to get Marty out of the way permanently but by hiding in a coffin Dan gets the dope on the fur robbery. He surprises Marty at the warehouse and with the aid of a mannequin by the open window shows the boy what Skeeter and his gang had planned.
It is an action packed film but really no stretch for Lon who without make-up adds another portrayal to his esteemed gallery. As Dan he has fallen hopelessly in love with Myrtle but his reason for forcing Marty to leave the city is because he just thinks the boy is a ne'er do well. This was an often repeated theme in some films of the twenties - the older guardian who falls in love with his ward. Dan wasn't related to Myrtle but he did look out for her and was a trusted family friend, fortunately she didn't return his affection in that way and by the end Marty returned, eager to claim Myrtle and to shake his "real" friend's hand for putting him on the right path.
In between times there is plenty of gun play, shoot outs. Myrtle is supposed to be put "out of the picture" and there are several scenes of what must be one of the first machine gun battles in the movies and both sides had the sophisticated weaponry at their disposal.
Very Recommended.