Whipsaw (1935)

Hoping to nab a gang of jewel thieves, a government agent pretends to be a crook and travels across country with a lady thief.

Director:

Sam Wood

Writers:

Howard Emmett Rogers (screen play), James Edward Grant (from the story by)

Stars:

Myrna Loy, Spencer Tracy, Harvey Stephens

Cast

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

Storyline

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.

---

Plot Keywords:

pearl | hand mirror | blizzard | gunshot wound | impersonation | 

---

Taglines:

Here She is at Last!...Laughing, Loving, Wise-Cracking Again as She Kisses a Stranger and Romps Away on the Merriest, Maddest Romantic Adventure You've Ever Seen!

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 December 1935 (USA)

Also Known As:

Unexpected Bride

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

MGM executive E.J. Mannix chastised cinematographer James Wong Howe for filming Myrna Loy with mussy hair when she awakens at John Qualen's house, since MGM spent millions glamorizing their star. The scene is in the Turner library print.

---

Quotes

Harry Ames: Those birds are walking murder.

---

Connections

Referenced in Hollywood Hist-o-Rama: Myrna Loy (1961)

User Reviews

Loy turns the tables on Tracy

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.