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IMDbPro

The Earl of Chicago

  • 19401940
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 27m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
391
YOUR RATING
Edward Arnold and Robert Montgomery in The Earl of Chicago (1940)
Silky has always moved booze. In prohibition, he smuggled it from Canada, but now that it is legal, he produces his own brand. Seven years before, he sent Doc to prison because Doc was an honest man. Now that he is getting out, Silky wants an honest man as his general manager. When an English solicitor arrives to show that Silky is the new Earl of Gorley, Doc sees his chance to get Silky out of the way. But Silky takes Doc with him to England to see about selling his holdings and taking the money. While Doc knows that none of the property can be sold, he does not tell Silky. While Silky is shown all his duties and responsibilities, Doc is busy bankrupting his business in Chicago.
Play trailer2:57
1 Video
8 Photos
ActionComedyCrime

Silky has always moved booze. In prohibition, he smuggled it from Canada, but now that it is legal, he produces his own brand. Seven years before, he sent Doc to prison because Doc was an ho... Read allSilky has always moved booze. In prohibition, he smuggled it from Canada, but now that it is legal, he produces his own brand. Seven years before, he sent Doc to prison because Doc was an honest man. Now that he is getting out, Silky wants an honest man as his general manager. Wh... Read allSilky has always moved booze. In prohibition, he smuggled it from Canada, but now that it is legal, he produces his own brand. Seven years before, he sent Doc to prison because Doc was an honest man. Now that he is getting out, Silky wants an honest man as his general manager. When an English solicitor arrives to show that Silky is the new Earl of Gorley, Doc sees his... Read all

IMDb RATING
6.2/10
391
YOUR RATING
  • Directors
    • Richard Thorpe
    • Victor Saville(uncredited)
  • Writers
    • Lesser Samuels(screen play)
    • Charles de Grandcourt(story)
    • Gene Fowler(story)
  • Stars
    • Robert Montgomery
    • Edward Arnold
    • Reginald Owen
  • Directors
    • Richard Thorpe
    • Victor Saville(uncredited)
  • Writers
    • Lesser Samuels(screen play)
    • Charles de Grandcourt(story)
    • Gene Fowler(story)
  • Stars
    • Robert Montgomery
    • Edward Arnold
    • Reginald Owen
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 16User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro

    • Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:57
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos8

    Edward Arnold, Peter Godfrey, Robert Montgomery, and Ronald Sinclair in The Earl of Chicago (1940)
    Edward Arnold and Robert Montgomery in The Earl of Chicago (1940)
    Edward Arnold and Robert Montgomery in The Earl of Chicago (1940)
    Edmund Gwenn and Robert Montgomery in The Earl of Chicago (1940)
    Robert Montgomery in The Earl of Chicago (1940)
    Robert Montgomery in The Earl of Chicago (1940)
    Robert Montgomery in The Earl of Chicago (1940)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Robert Montgomery
    Robert Montgomery
    • 'Silky' Kilmount
    Edward Arnold
    Edward Arnold
    • 'Doc' Ramsey
    Reginald Owen
    Reginald Owen
    • Gervase Gonwell
    Edmund Gwenn
    Edmund Gwenn
    • Munsey
    E.E. Clive
    E.E. Clive
    • Redwood
    Ronald Sinclair
    Ronald Sinclair
    • Gerald Kilmount
    Norma Varden
    Norma Varden
    • Maureen Kilmount
    Halliwell Hobbes
    Halliwell Hobbes
    • Lord Chancellor
    Ian Wolfe
    Ian Wolfe
    • Reading Clerk
    • (as Ian Wulf)
    Peter Godfrey
    Peter Godfrey
    • Judson
    Billy Bevan
    Billy Bevan
    • Guide
    Lowden Adams
    • Floor Waiter
    • (uncredited)
    Harry Allen
    • Mayor
    • (uncredited)
    Radford Allen
    • Boy
    • (uncredited)
    George Anderson
    • Prison Guard
    • (uncredited)
    Jimmy Aubrey
    Jimmy Aubrey
    • Cockney
    • (uncredited)
    Frank Baker
    Frank Baker
    • Policeman
    • (uncredited)
    Barbara Bedford
    Barbara Bedford
    • Martha Jackson
    • (uncredited)
    • Directors
      • Richard Thorpe
      • Victor Saville(uncredited)
    • Writers
      • Lesser Samuels(screen play)
      • Charles de Grandcourt(story)
      • Gene Fowler(story)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The practice of trying members of the British gentry before their peers was put to a stop in 1946, six years after this movie was made.
    • Quotes

      'Doc' Ramsey: Silky, you're positively Machiavellian.

      'Silky' Kilmount: Yeah, sure. Heh, heh, heh! But only with you, Doc. Heh, heh, heh!

    • Connections
      Referenced in From the Ends of the Earth (1939)

    User reviews16

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    If you thought it was a gangster drama, you're mistaken
    I've seen a lot of reviews of this film here claiming it's a gangster drama that would've worked better as a comedy. Did you miss the laughs? Some critics argue that Robert Montgomery was doing an unintentionally comedic gangster with Silky. I disagree. It's clearly satirical, with more depth added as the character becomes more exposed to another culture and from the decency shown to him by his new acquaintances. Sure, some parts could've been expanded on, and there could've been another half an hour of exposition. For me, many of the old studio pictures suffer from an assembly line mentality and are often dated or limited by today's standards. But I find satisfaction in the individual performances, scenes and the various technical and artistic contributions. Sadly, I feel there's a shortage of even those traits in today's Hollywood tripe.
    helpful•18
    6
    • jpardes
    • Feb 13, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 5, 1940 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Hertigen av Chicago
    • Filming locations
      • London, England, UK
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 27 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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