Friends of Mr. Sweeney

If not for TCM showing Warner Bros. 1934 movie Friends of Mr. Sweeney around 1997, I wouldn't even know it existed. The movie cannot be described as pre-Code because its release date is July 28, 1934, yet the TCM broadcast version does not have the MPPDA logo on it and there is no certificate number shown in the credits. Even stranger, when Warner Bros. premiered this movie in New York City on July 31, 1934, the venue was the Mayfair movie theater, not a Warner Bros. theater. Friends of Mr. Sweeney is a star vehicle for Charles Ruggles, who plays the role of Asaph Holliday, once a real go getter in college who has withered away working as an editorial writer for The Balance, a dull political magazine. Somehow, after meeting Rixey, an old college friend, he changes as he gets involved with a crooked politician, the operator of a gambling den and his secretary, Beulah Boyd, played by a great looking Ann Dvorak.

There is one scene where Ms. Boyd, told that her dress was inappropriate attire for the office, takes it off in the office, shows she is wearing a slip, and puts on a more reserved outfit. A woman in a slip was a scene that you saw in a movie like Night Nurse, but not one that usually passed the censorious Joseph Breen, the foaming at the mouth anti-Semitic Production Code Administrator who enforced the stringent Code put into effect on July 1, 1934.

In some ways, Friends of Mr. Sweeney reminds me of another 1934 Warner Bros. movie, Hi, Nellie! Both are set in locales in or near Greenwich Village, both deal with journalists on the outs who improve their lots by going against crooked political types. The cynicism and slanted view of life in Friends of Mr. Sweeney peg the movie as pre-Code. It is too bad for Charles Ruggles that one of his best roles was in a movie that was given the bum's rush on its release, to avoid problems with the Production Code. By being released in the middle of the summer, considered a dead time for first run movies until the 1970s, Warner Bros. guaranteed this movie would vanish from sight fast.

If I hadn't taped this movie from the TCM broadcast about 10 years ago, I would not have a copy now, since I have not seen it listed once on the TCM broadcast schedule since then.

Charles Ruggles is an editorial writer made meek and mild by decades of working under the stifling Berton Churchill. When Ann Dvorak takes an interest in him and old college friend Eugene Pallette comes to town and they go off on a tear, he finds his old fire and writes his editorial his way.

Director Edward Ludwig doesn't add much to this movie, but the cast is good, and Eugene Pallette gives one of his best performances in this worm-turning comedy. Ruggles moves nicely nicely from a milsop to a man willing to assert himself. With Robert Barrat, Dorothy Tree, and an uncredited etra role by Fred MacMurray.

Some major comedy greats in this one. Charles ruggles was a hollywood regular, and ann dvorak was HUGE in the 1930s, into the 1940s. Eugene pallett was a bigger than life character, although if you read his story, he was not a good neighbor. Ace holliday is a reporter for the paper, and beulah is his assistant; the boss is just never pleased with what holliday turns in, so ace is determined to get ahead. He finally gets up the courage to ask out beulah. Co-stars berton churchill as the boss. He's the straight man, playing the serious guy, as ruggles stumbles and stutters whenever he's around the boss. Holliday can't even stand up to romanoff, the loud, russian bully. When a corrupt politician tries to buy his way into office, what will they do?? And when holliday gets in hock over his head, what will he do then? Directed by ed ludwig. I had seen a couple of ludwig's films, but they were all just so-so. Story by elmer davis. He had several of his novels made into film. It's another B film from warner brothers, but a good opportunity to see ruggles, dvorak, and pallette! It's actually pretty good!

Mild-mannered Charlie Ruggles (Asaph "Ace" Holliday), editorial writer for a New York weekly, loosens up a little after getting drunk with sexy secretary Ann Dvorak (as Beulah Boyd). Rotund school chum Eugene Palette (Wynn Rixey) arrives for a visit, then he and Mr. Ruggles revisit wild youth as "Friends of Mr. Sweeney". The carousing brings Ruggles head-to-head with a corrupt politician he's been ordered to write up in a flattering article, by stuffy editor Berton Churchill (as Franklyn P. Brumbaugh). Robert Barrat (as Alexis "Alex" Romanoff) is a funny Russian friend. The cast appears to be having a great time, and it's contagious. Watch for Ms. Dvorak to changes dresses in an early scene, and model her lingerie.

****** Friends of Mr. Sweeney (7/27/34) Edward Ludwig ~ Charlie Ruggles, Ann Dvorak, Eugene Palette, Robert Barrat

Mr. Holliday (Charlie Ruggles) is a dull man who has succombed to mediocrity over the years. While he was once a star football player in college, now he is pushed around by everyone around him. In particular, his boss wants him to write an article in support of a political candidate that Holliday knows is a crook...and he's too timid to say no.

When an old college buddy (Eugene Pallett) comes for a visit, this shakes everything up. This is because the buddy expects the same Holliday he knew in college. Over time, however, Holliday develops some spine and becomes the man he wishes he was. Watch the film and watch this worm turn.

This is a cute little comedy. Ruggles is excellent in the lead, though it is strange to see such a small and mousy man playing a man who used to be a successful college quarterback. Still, it's all good fun and I think you'll enjoy it.