The womanizer
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | The womanizer |
| Original title | Lady killer |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1933 |
| length | 73 minutes |
| Rod | |
| Director | Roy Del Ruth |
| script |
Ben Markson Lillie Hayward |
| music | Bernhard Kaun |
| camera | Tony Gaudio |
| cut | George Amy |
| occupation | |
| |
The Womanizer is an American crime comedy directed by Roy Del Ruth from 1933. The screenplay was based on the story The Finger Man by Rosalind Keating Shaffer. The film is one of the "pre-code" films that were produced in the time before the Hays Code , the censorship and production guidelines for US films. The film premiered on December 9, 1933. In Germany, the film was broadcast on television in a version shortened by three minutes, for the first time on September 20, 1977 on ZDF .
action
Dan Quigley works as an assistant in a motion picture theater. His bosses warn him against gambling and fire him after a while. He discovers a scam in which the attractive Myra lures unsuspecting men into a game of poker. Dan soon joins the Duke gang and works very successfully. He causes an accident with a rich widow and is invited to her house by her, who believes that she has caused the accident. The gang raids the house and robs the widow.
When a butler is killed in a raid, the gang has to withdraw. Dan and Myra flee to Los Angeles . The police believe Dan is the head of the gang and arrest him. Myra and her accomplice Spade refuse to pay the bail and pile Dan's money into Mexico. For lack of evidence, Dan is released. He worked as an actor again in the film and met the star Lois Underwood by chance. Dan writes fan letters to himself and soon becomes a well-known actor. He does a lot with Lois, but when he brings her home, he finds Myra in his bed. Lois leaves Dan, Dan throws Myra out.
Spade suggests that Dan give the gang access to the movie stars' homes. But Dan gives them $ 10,000 to go away. But the gang undertakes further raids. The police interrogate Dan about a robbery at a party. He visits Myra and learns from the news of a robbery on Lois' house, in which jewels were looted. Dan finds the gang with a gun and knocks Spade down. He takes the jewels to bring them back, but is arrested by the police. A police officer is killed during arrest. Spade wants to prevent that Dan can reveal anything to the police and plans to murder him after his release. Dan is released after Lois pays Dan's bail. Myra takes Dan in her car, but they are followed by the police. The gang also follows Myra's car, which Dan now controls. He accelerates, the gang and the police engage in a firefight. Dan helps the police catch Spade. Finally, Lois and Dan can get on a plane to get married at their destination.
Reviews
The lexicon of international films praises the film as a "brilliantly staged gangster film parody staged with wit and pace." The "Variety" emphasizes the "exuberant humor" with which the group of crooks is portrayed. Mordaunt Hall of the New York Times particularly highlights the performances of the actors. Mae Clarke occupies a "valuable supporting role" and shows a "competent representation". Douglass Dumbrille is good as the dominant gangster and Marjorie Gateson gives her little role glamor and charm. The Time Out film guide feels that the film is “witty and fast-paced ”. It includes some "sharp satirical swipes" on the Hollywood industry. Channel 4, on the other hand, considers the film to be "complicated, implausible and a bit too jittery," with James Cagney helping the film about the "far-fetched parts."
background
The costumes came from Orry-Kelly . The Vitaphone Orchestra of Warner Bros. was developed by Leo F. Forbstein conducted.
James Cagney, who was known for gangster roles before this film, wanted to use this film to fight against being pegged into one role. So he was now able to prove his acting versatility and breadth.
The film was shot in the former Ambassador Hotel , Union Station (both in Los Angeles ) and the air terminal at Glendale Airport .
Web links
- The womanizer in the Internet Movie Database (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ The womanizer. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed April 3, 2019 .
- ↑ Lady Killer. In: Variety . Archived from the original on September 15, 2012 ; accessed on April 3, 2019 .
- ^ Mordaunt Hall : Cagney in New Film . In: The New York Times . 1934 (English, online at NYTimes [accessed April 3, 2019]).
- ↑ Lady Killer. In: TimeOut. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013 ; accessed on April 3, 2019 .
- ↑ Lady Killer. In: Film4. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016 ; accessed on April 3, 2019 .
- ↑ James Steffen: Lady Killer (1933). In: Turner Classic Movies . Retrieved April 3, 2019 .