The Racketeer (1929)

A dapper gangster sponsors an alcoholic violinist in order to win the love of a glamorous divorced socialite.

Director:

Howard Higgin

Writers:

Paul Gangelin (story), A.A. Kline (dialogue by)

Stars:

Robert Armstrong, Carole Lombard, Roland Drew

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Robert Armstrong	...	Mahlon Keane
Carole Lombard	...	Rhoda Philbrooke (as Carol Lombard)
Roland Drew	...	Tony Vaughan
Paul Hurst	...	Mehaffy
Kit Guard	...	Gus
Al Hill	...	Squid
Bobby Dunn	...	The Rat (as Bobbie Dunn)
Budd Fine	...	Bernie Weber (as Bud Fine)
Hedda Hopper	...	Mrs. Lee
Jeanette Loff	...	Millie Chapman
John Loder	...	Jack Oakhurst
Winter Hall	...	Mr. Chapman
Winifred Harris	...	Mrs. Chapman

Storyline

Tough mobster Mahlon Keane practically runs crime in New York City. He meets broke ex-society girl Rhoda Philbrooke at a society fundraiser and helps her cheat her way to some winnings in poker. Rhoda needs the money to help nurse broken alcoholic concert violinist Tony Vaughan back to health. In between his criminal dealings, Keane takes up Rhoda's cause and helps promote Vaughan's return to public performance. Rhoda agrees to marry Keane but still harbors unrequited love for Tony Vaughan. On the eve of her marriage, Vaughan confesses his love to Rhoda. Now how will she handle her mobster fiancée?

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Plot Keywords:

violinist | poker | new york city | gangster | concert | 

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Taglines:

SMASHING DIALOGUE THAT CRACKS WITH ACTION! (original poster - all caps)

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 November 1929 (USA)

Also Known As:

Love's Conquest

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pathé Exchange

Technical Specs

Runtime:

68 min 68 min (copyright length) (sound)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Photophone System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Gus spots rival gangster Bernie Weber riding in the back of a taxi, he tells his driver Squid to pull alongside it so he can shoot him. Gus refers to it as a gray cab, and in the studio close-up it appears to be white or at least a very light gray. In the subsequent cut to the location shot done outdoors on location, the cab with the dead mobster appears to be black.

User Reviews

Stereotypical gangster picture with a romantic twist.

I enjoyed this 66 minute film despite the overly theatrical delivery of almost every line. One gets the impression that this film was directed by an eighth grade home economics teacher. Despite this annoying drawback, the story is sweet and there is a genuine chemistry between the leading lady, Carole Lombard, and the head gangster played by Robert Armstrong.

Carole Lombard is attractively photographed and has a large amount of quality screen time here. She is pulled in two directions by two men who genuinely care for her. One is a concert violinist who we are introduced to early on in the picture as a man who has been reduced to nothing more than a bum in the gutter. The other is the suave gangster who for the first time has found something in this life greater than himself. The question is: who needs her most and who truly loves her? And in what direction will fate allow her to go.

The dramatic ending will tug at your heart-strings. This was Carole's last picture for Pathe studios.