The Tip-Off (1931)

Eddie Quillan falls in love with a gangster's girlfriend but avoids trouble when he becomes friends with Robert Armstrong and his girlfriend

Director:

Albert S. Rogell

Writers:

George Kibbe Turner (story), Earl Baldwin

Stars:

Eddie Quillan, Robert Armstrong, Ginger Rogers

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Eddie Quillan	...	Thomas 'Tommy' Jordan
Robert Armstrong	...	Kayo McClure
Ginger Rogers	...	Baby Face
Joan Peers	...	Edna Moreno
Ralf Harolde	...	Nick Vatelli
Mike Donlin	...	Swanky Jones
Ernie Adams	...	Slug McGee
Charles Sellon	...	Pop Jackson
Helen Ainsworth	...	Miss Ethel Waddums (as Cupid Ainsworth)

Storyline

While on a job, cocky young radio repairman Tommy Jordan meets Baby Face, enticing (if dizzy) girlfriend of jealous boxer Kayo McClure. Fleeing Baby Face's flirtatious advances, Tommy jumps from the frying pan into the fire when he pursues Edna Merino, girlfriend of Kayo's gangster manager Nick Vatelli. Can Kayo save Tommy from being "rubbed out"? Or will fearful Baby Face hold Kayo back?

---

Plot Keywords:

gangster | boxer | gunshot wound | jealousy | charity ball | 

---

Taglines:

This is station L-O-V-E

---

Genres:

Comedy | Crime

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 October 1931 (USA)

Also Known As:

Eddie Cuts In

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Pathé Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

71 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Photophone System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

The name of the restaurant where the wedding is to take place at the end is referred to in the dialogue as "Sarno's" but the sign on the restaurant says "Scarno's."

---

Soundtracks

"I Surrender Dear"
(uncredited)
Lyrics by Gordon Clifford
Music by Harry Barris
Lip-synched by Eddie Quillan

User Reviews

A gangster comedy-drama with some good moments and Ginger Rogers in any early role.

A moderately funny crime comedy I found pretty satisfying, mostly from seeing Ginger Rogers in such an early role. The stars, however, are Eddie Quillan and Robert Armstrong, both billed above the title, with Quillan playing a radio repairman and Armstrong playing a boxer with an upcoming middleweight championship fight. Seeing Eddie Quillan billed first surprised me, since I never knew he attained that measure of stardom. But he does have a good rapport with the camera and I enjoyed his performance. Although my focus was on Rogers, playing Armstrong's sweetie and a flirt, the film's focus was on Quillan. This performance provides the suspense and drama which is sustained nicely through the last half of the film. All in all, the movie is somewhat enjoyable.