| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Myrna Loy | ... |
Vivian Palmer
|
|
| Spencer Tracy | ... |
Ross McBride
|
|
|
|
Harvey Stephens | ... |
Ed Dexter
|
|
|
William Harrigan | ... |
'Doc' Evans
|
|
|
Clay Clement | ... |
Harry Ames
|
|
|
Robert Gleckler | ... |
Steve Arnold
|
|
|
Robert Warwick | ... |
Wadsworth
|
|
|
Georges Renavent | ... |
Monetta
(as George Renevent)
|
|
|
Paul Stanton | ... |
Chief Hughes
|
|
|
Wade Boteler | ... |
Humphries
|
|
|
Don Rowan | ... |
Curley
|
| John Qualen | ... |
Dabson
|
|
|
|
Irene Franklin | ... |
Mme. Marie
|
|
|
Lillian Leighton | ... |
Aunt Jane
|
|
|
J. Anthony Hughes | ... |
Bailey
|
Vivian, Ed and Harry steal jewels in Paris. In New York government agent McBride accompanies Vivian riding across the country with the loot. She falls in love with him and gives up crime; he finds the stash and arrests her. Rival crooks Doc and Steve, who had already stolen the stolen jewels once, attempt to take them once again. Written by Ed Stephan <stephan@cc.wwu.edu>
Spencer Tracy is an FBI man who pretends he's a con man to capture Myrna Loy and her fellow criminals in "Whipsaw," a 1935 film. When Loy's confederates steal valuable pearls, Tracy attaches himself to her so she will lead him to the robbers and the pearls. The only problem is, Loy is onto him.
This is a meandering story and not up the level of either actor. Loy is very beautiful and Tracy is appealing, but they're burdened by a silly plot that has them driving, riding in an airplane, and staying in hotels without much else going on. There is a nice sequence when a horrible rainstorm traps them at a farmhouse where they help an expectant mother give birth to twins. That whole section is the best part of the film.
The stars are very good together and probably in 1935 this went over a lot better. But now we know what Tracy and Loy were capable of, so "Whipsaw" is disappointing.