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The Big Shakedown (1934)

64 min  -  Crime | Drama  -   6 January 1934 (USA)
6.5
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Ratings: 6.5/10 from 319 users  
Reviews: 7 user | 4 critic

Racketeers flood the market with counterfeit cosmetics and drugs, causing some tragedies.

Director:

John Francis Dillon

Writers:

Niven Busch (screenplay), Rian James (screenplay), and 2 more credits »

Stars:

Charles Farrell, Bette Davis and Ricardo Cortez
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Cast

Complete credited cast:
Charles Farrell ...
Bette Davis ...
Ricardo Cortez Ricardo Cortez ...
Glenda Farrell Glenda Farrell ...
Allen Jenkins Allen Jenkins ...
Henry O'Neill Henry O'Neill ...
Dewey Robinson Dewey Robinson ...
John Wray John Wray ...
Higgins
Philip Faversham Philip Faversham ...
John, the New Salesman
Robert Emmett O'Connor Robert Emmett O'Connor ...
Regan, the Bartender
Renee Whitney Renee Whitney ...
Mae LaRue
G. Pat Collins G. Pat Collins ...
Gyp (as George Pat Collins)
Adrian Morris Adrian Morris ...
Trigger
Ben Hendricks Jr. Ben Hendricks Jr. ...
Spike (as Ben Hendricks)
George Cooper George Cooper ...
Shorty
Full cast and crew »
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Storyline

Former bootlegger Nick Barnes pressures neighborhood druggist Jimmy Morrell into making cut-rate drugs. The money makes it possible for Jimmy to marry Norma Frank, a pharmacy clerk. Expecting a baby, she wants Jimmy to quit the racket. Beaten by the mob, Jimmy works on, diluting the medications still further. Norma is rushed to the hospital for a premature delivery and given bogus medication. Written by Ed Stephan <stephan@cc.wwu.edu>  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Drugs | Beautiful Woman | Con Artist | Digitalis | Reference To Mae West  | See more »

Genres:

Crime | Drama

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

First National Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures See more »
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Quotes

Mae LaRue: [Bursting in on Dutch and Lil in Dutch's office] I told you he was in!
[Sizing up the situation]
Mae LaRue: Hello, lover.
Dutch Barnes: [Straightening his tie nervously] Hello, Mae.
Lily 'Lil' Duran: Hello Mae? You bet he's in; he's in my hair.
[turning to Dutch]
Lily 'Lil' Duran: Why you double-crossing, two-timing slug. So that's why you want to send me to Europe, huh?
Dutch Barnes: Now wait a minute, honey, wait a minute.
Lily 'Lil' Duran: Oh, wait a minute - breezin' me off so you can play post office with this queen. What gutter'dja pick her out of?
Mae LaRue: [Doing a Mae West hand-on-hip hair fluff] I don't believe I know you.
[...]
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Connections

Referenced in "This Is Your Life: Bette Davis" (1971) See more »

Soundtracks

"Free"
(uncredited)
Music by Dana Suesse
Played during the opening photo credits and often in the score See more »