The Secret 6 (1931)

After rising bootlegger Slaughterhouse Scorpio eliminates his gangland competition, two reporters and a cabal of six businessmen work to expose him.

Director:

George W. Hill (as George Hill)

Writer:

Frances Marion (story and dialogue)

Stars:

Wallace Beery, Lewis Stone, Johnny Mack Brown

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Wallace Beery	...	Louis Scorpio
Lewis Stone	...	Richard Newton - Attorney at Law
Johnny Mack Brown	...	Hank Rogers (as John Mack Brown)
Jean Harlow	...	Anne Courtland
Marjorie Rambeau	...	Peaches
Paul Hurst	...	Nick Mizoski - the Gouger
Clark Gable	...	Carl Luckner
Ralph Bellamy	...	Johnny Franks
John Miljan	...	Joe Colimo
DeWitt Jennings	...	Chief of Police Donlin
Murray Kinnell	...	Metz - the Dummy
Fletcher Norton	...	Jimmy Delano
Louis Natheaux	...	Eddie
Frank McGlynn Sr.	...	Judge (as Frank McGlynn)
Theodore von Eltz	...	District Attorney Keeler (as Theodore Von Eltz)

Storyline

Bootlegger/cafe owner Ralph Bellamy recruits crude working man Wallace Beery to join his gang which is masterminded by crooked criminal defense lawyer Lewis Stone. Beery eventually takes over Bellamy's operation, beats a rival gang, becomes wealthy and dominates the city for several years until a secret group of 6 masked businessmen have him prosecuted and sent to the electric chair with the help of rival crusading newspapermen Clark Gable and Johnny Mack Brown. Waitress Jean Harlow is torn between her love for the honest newsman Brown and her financial dependence on her generous boss, Beery.

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Plot Keywords:

shot in the arm | beer | chewing tobacco | cigar | diamond ring | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

18 April 1931 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Secret Six

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Budget:

$494,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

After Wallace Beery spits a mouthful of chewing tobacco presumably on the floor or in a spittoon, two drools continue out of his mouth and onto his collar. As this was likely not in the script, it can be assumed this was left in on purpose.

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Goofs

When Jean Harlow runs into the subway, she rushes through the turnstile without paying and onto a car. In real life, if she had not put in a token, the turnstile bar would have prevented her going on to the platform.

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Quotes

Newton: What excuse did you give him for pretending to be a deaf-mute?
Metz: Well, I said I was married to a dame that was on the hunt for me and if she found me, she'd send me up for a rap.
Newton: And what did Mr. Scorpio say to that?
Metz: He said he was sorry for all married men. Wouldn't spill the beans.

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Connections

Referenced in Public Enemies: The Golden Age of the Gangster Film (2008)

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Soundtracks

For He's a Jolly Good Fellow
(uncredited)
Traditional
Played at the party for Scorpio

User Reviews

Very Modern

This crime drama features both an excellent cast and an excellent script by Frances Marion. The story could easily be filmed today and become a huge box office hit. Louie Scorpio (Wallace Beery) is an uneducated meathead from the streets with a thirst for money. He learns that bootlegging is a great way to get what he wants, so he joins up with Johnny (Ralph Bellamy) and "Newt" (Lewis Stone) who run a powerful gang in town. After bumping Johnny off, Louie becomes the leader and fixes half the town in his favor. Among the most desirable allies are the town reporters Hank (Johnny Mack Brown) and Carl (Clark Gable). He uses a beautiful dame (Jean Harlow) to keep them in line, but can't seem to shake the cops.

For an early talkie, the camera-work here is surprisingly innovative. There are scenes that feel very static and others that move fluidly through various sets. The lighting is fantastic and creates a beauty for a bleak storyline. Unfortunately, the sound quality isn't so impressive. Sometimes the dialogue is difficult to understand, so the story can become confusing in some areas. Thankfully, audiences will be able to figure things out fairly easily.