This film could have been better than it was. It's a standard story of a steel magnate who, in his will, leaves the running of his company to his favorite, devoted employee, Tons Walker (Grant Withers). The magnate wants to make a man out of his artist son, Bill (Ranny Weeks) who has been living in Paris off Dad's money. So, the will stipulates the son must work in the mill for a year, then he can inherit everything. Grant Withers is well cast as the devoted employee who adores his boss and only wants what is best for the company. However, he and the shiftless son, played ever so annoyingly by Weeks, clash. Actually there are times when we want Tons to punch Bill in the nose and doesn't. Here's where the story falls apart. Tons and secretary Susan Bailey, played by Beatrice Roberts, are engaged. However she sympathizes with the son having to work shoveling coal in the mill. Eventually she falls in love with him. They go out, date, and kiss without Tons' knowledge who is working nights to keep the company going. Of course, through a series of events, Tons and Bill come to like each other - so much that Bill gives Tons half interest in the company - and Susan realizes she really loves Tons. Really? He actually wants her back after she threw him over for another guy. Not only unbelievable but dumb. Someone else other than Weeks would have been better in this part, and, by the way, the lovely and talented Judith Allen is wasted as Bill's gold-digging girlfriend.
Review of Bill Cracks Down
