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:

DRAMATIC...TENSE...ROMANCE OF HIGH SOCIETY AND THE UNDERWORLD! (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

Strong Silent Types in Talkies

Well mounted, interesting story about suave racketeer Armstrong falling for impoverished deb Lombard, hampered a bit by the declamatory style of speaking any speech longer than three words and apparent immobility of microphones.