Merry-Go-Round (1932)
"Afraid to Talk" (original title)

Corrupt politicians resort to murder and blackmail when a young boy accidentally witnesses them taking payoffs.

Director:

Edward L. Cahn

Writers:

Albert Maltz (play), George Sklar (play),

Stars:

Eric Linden, Sidney Fox, Tully Marshall

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Eric Linden	...	Eddie Martin
Sidney Fox	...	Peggy Martin
Tully Marshall	...	District Attorney. Anderson
Louis Calhern	...	Asst. District Attorney John Wade
George Meeker	...	Lenny Collins
Robert Warwick	...	Jake Stranskey
Berton Churchill	...	Mayor William 'Billy' Manning
Edward Arnold	...	Jig Skelli
Mayo Methot	...	Marge Winters
J. Carrol Naish	...	Joe Skelli (replaced by Matt Mc Hugh)
Matt McHugh	...	Joe Skelli
Thomas E. Jackson	...	Deputy Benchley (as Tom Jackson)
Frank Sheridan	...	Police Commissioner Garvey
Ian Maclaren	...	Chief Frank Hyers
Gustav von Seyffertitz	...	Attorney Harry Berger

Storyline

Corrupt politicians resort to murder and blackmail when a young boy accidentally witnesses them taking payoffs.

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Plot Keywords:

murder | blackmail | gangster | corruption | evil man | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 December 1932 (USA)

Also Known As:

Merry-Go-Round

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

69 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

User Reviews

Political Corruption Theme Still Relevant.

Like Gangster Pictures? "Afraid To Talk" may be the best of this genre ever made. It tells a story of corruption in which traditional ethical guidelines are erased, in which there are no 'good guys' or 'bad guys'- they're all bad. It was directed in breathtaking and expert fashion by Edward L. Cahn, who directed many crummy B's of the 50's and 60's, and this must be his best picture.This is a pre-code gangster picture and by my reckoning better than "Public Enemy" or "Little Caesar" and despite the fact that there is no big name gangster-type star here.

In addition, this is a Universal production, which goes against the 30's Hollywood slogan that, "If it's a Universal it's a Horror". Somehow this backwater studio produced this taut, well-acted, hard-hitting movie and did it in 72 minutes worth of film. The baddest of the bad guys is Louis Calhern, doing his dastardly best (or worst) as a treacherous Asst.District Attorney. In this corner, as a hapless hotel bellhop, is Eric Linden, who is married to munchkin-like Sidney Fox, in a thankless role as a housewife. Other career crooked politicians in the cast are Berton Churchill, Edward Arnold and Robert Warwick. Look for Mayo Methot, Bogie's first wife,as a gang moll.

Afraid To Talk has never, to anyones or any publications knowledge, been shown on TV, and is not available in any format except 35MM. Do not miss it if the opportunity ever arises. I was also impressed to learn of the existence of political corruption elsewhere - I'm from N.J. and I thought we invented it.