Jimmy the Gent (1934)

An unpolished racketeer, whose racket is finding heirs for unclaimed fortunes, affects ethics and tea-drinking manners to win back the sweetheart who now works for his seemingly upright competitor.

Director:

Michael Curtiz

Writers:

Bertram Millhauser (screen play), Laird Doyle (story),

Stars:

James Cagney, Bette Davis, Allen Jenkins

Cast

Complete credited cast:
James Cagney	...	Jimmy
Bette Davis	...	Joan
Allen Jenkins	...	Louie
Alan Dinehart	...	Wallingham
Alice White	...	Mabel
Arthur Hohl	...	Joe
Phillip Reed	...	Ronny Gatson
Hobart Cavanaugh	...	Fake Worthingham
Mayo Methot	...	Gladys Farrell
Renee Whitney	...	Bessie
Ralf Harolde	...	Hendrickson (as Ralfe Harolde)
Merna Kennedy	...	Jitters
Philip Faversham	...	Intern Blair
Nora Lane	...	Sarah Posy Barton
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mary Treen	...	Nurse (scenes deleted)

Storyline

Unscrupulous investigator of lost heirs Jimmy Corrigan loses his love Joan Martin to apparently upright competitor James Wallingham. He counters by adding a veneer of respectability to his own operation. Meanwhile he exposes Wallingham for a fraud.

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Plot Keywords:

heir | fraud | ethics | girl friday | racket | 

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Taglines:

He's the BIGGEST CHISELER since MICHAELANGELO! Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves Were PIKERS compared ti this RED-HAIRED SON-OF-A-GUN!

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 March 1934 (USA)

Also Known As:

Always a Gent

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Vitaphone Corporation, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

67 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Charles Wallingham: [as she is crying] Joan, dear, I'm a bit gauche at this sort of thing, but why don't you let me take care of you?
Miss Joan Martin: [Shocked] Mr. Wallingham!
Charles Wallingham: Oh, don't "Mister" me, please, as I've grown very fond of you.
Miss Joan Martin: Mr. Wallingham!
Charles Wallingham: [Said as a double entendre] I've tried to make you... really mine.

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Connections

Featured in American Masters: You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story (2008)

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Soundtracks

"You're the Only One That Can Make Me Cry"
(uncredited)
Music by Sammy Fain

User Reviews

Jimmy the Gent is a classic. (Why can't it be purchased?!?)

I have seen this unforgettable movie but once - on television - and have been trying to find a copy to buy ever since.

Such a splendid cast, with James Cagney as (cocky) 'Jimmy' Corrigan, Bette Davis as (classy) Miss Joan Martin, Allen Jenkins as (tough guy) Lou, Alan Dinehart as (smarmy) Charles Wallingham, and Alice White as (lovely) Miss Mabel

What delightful dialog. For instance, ordered to show a little class by Jimmy in his attempt to impress Miss Martin, a lady receptionist answered his phone by asking, "To whom do you wish to speak?" and then promptly blowing it with, "He ain't in."

James Cagney's menacing but humorous persona verily glowed in this movie. The mold was broken when Jimmy Cagney departed.