Five Star Final (1931)

The City Editor of a sleazy tabloid goes against his own journalistic ethics to resurrect a twenty year old murder case... with tragic results.

Director:

Mervyn LeRoy

Writers:

Louis Weitzenkorn (based on the play by), Byron Morgan (screen play)

Stars:

Edward G. Robinson, Marian Marsh, H.B. Warner

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Edward G. Robinson	...	Joseph W. Randall
Marian Marsh	...	Jenny Townsend
H.B. Warner	...	Michael Townsend
Anthony Bushell	...	Phillip Weeks
George E. Stone	...	Ziggie Feinstein
Frances Starr	...	Nancy 'Voorhees' Townsend
Ona Munson	...	Kitty Carmody
Boris Karloff	...	T. Vernon Isopod
Aline MacMahon	...	Miss Taylor
Oscar Apfel	...	Bernard Hinchecliffe
Purnell Pratt	...	Robert French
Robert Elliott	...	R. J. Brannegan

Storyline

Hinchcliffe, the ruthless publisher of a sleazy New York tabloid, is concerned that the ethical journalistic policies of City Editor Randall have caused a drop in circulation. He pressures the newsman to run more sensational stories including resurrecting the twenty year old Vorhees Murder Case. Although the perpetrator's actions were ultimately judged justifiable, and she has been subsequently living an exemplary life in anonymity, Hunchcliffe insists Randall revisit the story. Randall assigns Isopod, an alcoholic degenerate, to dig up anything lurid that he find. The unprincipled reporter fraudulently insinuates himself into the Vorhees' home masquerading as a minister and gets the expose he sought. Yellow journalism triumphs, and a decent woman's name gets dragged through the mud again... with tragic consequences.

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Plot Keywords:

bonus | playing bridge | kissing | radio | love | 

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Taglines:

A picture as sensational as its subject!

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 September 1931 (USA)

Also Known As:

O Caso Voorhees

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

First National Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Film debut of Aline MacMahon.

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Goofs

Eddie G. is finished pointing at Boris Karloff, who departs and tells the blonde to "get me that address". Then he places his left index upon his lips and starts pondering. His right hand is supporting his bent left arm. Picture cuts to the next frame in a long shot where Edward looks at his secretary, and he is now in reverse position, his right hand upon his lips and his left hand in his pocket.

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Quotes

Joseph W. Randall: Now you listen to me, Hinchecliffe. It'll be for the last time. I'm through with your dirty rag, and I'm through with you. Oh, I'm not ducking any of the blame for this thing. You thought of the murder and I committed it. But I did it for smaller profit. For wages. You did for circulation.
Bernard Hinchecliffe: You must be mad.
Joseph W. Randall: Mad. Yes I am. All my life I'll be mad. Because all my life I'll be seeing Nancy Voorhee's daughter standing there. And asking me why I killed her mother. And I want you, Hinchecliffe, to ...
[...]

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Connections

Featured in Hollywood and the Stars: The Angry Screen (1964)

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Soundtracks

One More Time
(1931) (uncredited)
Music by Ray Henderson
Played on the phonograph

User Reviews

Despite its age, the film still is relevant today

It's amazing to see that the sleazy tabloids we deal with today are not that different from the one portrayed in this picture. They will do ANYTHING and sink to ANY depths to cover a story--especially if it includes sleaze, innuendo and outright lies. In this case, they resurrect an old story and destroy an innocent woman just to sell a few more papers--resulting in a horrible tragedy that was completely preventable.

Although some of the supporting cast is only fair, the lead played by Edward G. Robinson is what makes the picture. He is a pig living in the filth his readers want until he and his paper just push too far and Robinson can no longer live with himself. His rather histrionic reaction is amazing to watch--not so over the top but just full of fury and intensity. A must see little sleeper of a film.

FYI--Humphrey Bogart did a very good remake of this movie a few years later ("Two Against the World"). It's also very good but I would advise seeing the Robinson version first--after all, in most cases the original is better than the remake and this is no exception.