Drogas Infernais

Pharmacist Charles Farrell and fiancee Bette Davis run a marginal neighborhood drug store. Everyone buys on credit, and a national discount chain is moving in. Meanwhile, Prohibition-era beer baron Ricardo Cortez finds that no one wants his bad beer, despite his strong-arm boys. He gets the idea of counterfeiting toothpaste and such goods, and Farrell is just the by who can make them for him. But Cortez is looking for new markets, and when he has Farrell synthesize a popular antiseptic without the necessary ingredients, matters become more desperate.

John Francis Dillon's last movie as director -- he died three months after this was released -- is a well played cautionary tale, but it seems odd for a Warner Brothers movie. It seems more contemplative than the usual Warners fare, and the print that plays on Turner Classic Movies is darker than most; this highlights Sidney Hickox' glittering images of a shabby drugstore in a manner I haven't noticed before. Cortez is excellent, and Henry O'Neill has a nice role as the chemist who originated the antiseptic. The usual stock of Warner Brothers player show up, including Glenda Farrell, Allen Jenkins, Dewey Robinson, John Wray, and Robert Emmett O'Connor.

THE BIG SHAKEDOWN (First National Pictures, 1934), directed by John Francis Dillon, is not a story about the San Francisco earthquake. It's a minor crime drama taken from a story "Cut Rate" by Sam Engels dealing with a couple of business partners from opposite sides. Not as famous as other films of this nature, but notable for an early screen appearance of Bette Davis, going on three years as a contract player with another three years to go for super stardom status and out of movie quickies such as this. Second billed under Charles Farrell, best known for his twelve movies opposite Janet Gaynor for Fox Films (1927-1934), with career declining as quickly as it had risen, having much more to do here than Davis.

Opening with character introduction, the story begins with the daily routine inside a neighborhood drug store: Norma Nelson (Bette Davis), a druggist copes with customers along with its owner, Jimmy Morrell (Charles Farrell), a chemist whom she loves and hopes to marry. Though Jimmy is satisfied with his drug store business, it's Norma who feels he could do a whole lot better. Things start to improve for Jimmy with the arrival of "Dutch" Barnes (Ricardo Cortez), a racketeer who had made a fortune bootlegging beer, finding himself out of business after the repeal of Prohibition. Coming to the drug store for a headache power which he does not have, Barnes is given a substitute Jimmy has made himself that is just as good. After Barnes tests toothpaste products against those made by Jimmy with his mob, "Lefty" (Allen Jenkins); "Slim" (Dewey Robinson); "Trigger" (Adrian Morris) and "Shorty" (George Cooper), not being able to tell the difference, both Barnes and Jimmy go into business for a better career. Once Jimmy discovers he's actually selling counterfeit patent medicines and putting manufacturers out of business, he finds that Barnes refuses to release Jimmy from his obligation to him.

The supporting cast includes Glenda Farrell (Lil Durand); Henry O'Neill (Sheffner); Renee Whitney (May LaRue); Robert Emmett O'Connor (Regan, the Bartender) and Samuel S. Hinds (Mr. Kophlsadt). Though a straight dramatic story, Sidney Miller adds some humor as a Jewish boy taking notes of all his drug store expenses.

Although THE BIG SHAKEDOWN crams many situations into its brief 61 minutes, results are somewhat satisfying. With Farrell and Cortez carrying on much of the plot, it offers Davis nothing in regards of challenging range. Ricardo Cortez is good yet typical as the bad guy, a role in which he excels, though never ranged in the high degree of a Humphrey Bogart. Like Bogey, Cortez could excel in playing a good-natured hero just as well (check out his underrated performance in 1932s SYMPHONY OF SIX MILLION). Glenda Farrell (no relation to Charles) breaks away from her wisecracking character as Cortez's girl, only to face some consequences for her actions.

Never distributed on video cassette, THE BIG SHAKEDOWN began to gain some cable television recognition starting on Turner Network Television (TNT) in 1989 before becoming a permanent fixture on Turner Classic Movies starting in 1994 and availability on DVD. Although the drama offers no great shakes, THE BIG SHAKEDOWN is worthy viewing more for its Warner Brothers stock players, especially a young Bette Davis. (**1/2)

Big Shakedown, The (1934)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Here's yet another Warner crime picture but this one here is about as far-fetched as you can get. A young pharmacist (Charles Farrell) isn't making too much cash in his store, which means he can't marry the girl (Bette Davis) he loves. At the same time a gangster (Ricardo Cortez) realizes there's no market for beer so he gets the bright idea of making fake toothpaste, female products and eventually medicine and hires to pharmacist to make it for him. Before long the gangster has the pharmacies by the neck and soon a tragedy happens. This film runs a very quick 62-minutes and if you're a fan of "B" movies then there's quite a bit to enjoy here. Yes, the story itself is rather silly at times and the final "message" included in a three paragraph newspaper report that we're forced to read is even sillier. I think fans of Warner and the terrific cast are going to enjoy what's on display here as long as they don't go in expecting THE PUBLIC ENEMY or anything of that quality. Farrell is pretty good in his role, although I'm sure many would argue that he's a bit too laid back in part. I thought this actually helped because his character really wouldn't be the type to do anything else than what he goes through here. By this time in his career Cortez was already a master at playing low-level hoods and he's fun to watch as usual. The supporting cast includes Glenda Farrell playing the gangster's mole and we get Allen Jenkins in for a few laughs. Davis isn't the Davis that is now a legend but I always enjoy seeing her in these early movies where she's yet to really hit her stride. Her performance is just fine so fans will have fun here. The director at least keeps the film moving at a fast pace and thankfully it doesn't go on too long because there's really not enough story here for much more. THE BIG SHAKEDOWN is a "B" movie all the way but as long as you don't expect too much it's not too hard to not have fun with the cast.

Pharmacist Charles Farrell goes into business with gangster Ricardo Cortez making counterfeit toothpaste and cosmetics. Soon Cortez wants to branch out into making medication, which Farrell isn't happy about. But Farrell wants to marry fiancée Bette Davis and give her financial security. Early Bette flick before she had really developed her style. She's fine but there's not a lot for her to do through most of the picture but worry about her guy. Charles Farrell is OK. Ricardo Cortez is a great bad guy as usual. Nice supporting cast includes Glenda Farrell, Allen Jenkins, and Henry O'Neill. Fun cat fight between Glenda Farrell and Renee Whitney. Exciting climax you will not be able to predict!

Jimmy Morrell (Charles Farrell) and Norma Nelson (Bette Davis) run a local pharmacy. They are getting married and she wants to do bigger business. Meanwhile, gangster Dutch Barnes (Ricardo Cortez) is pushing his brand of beer, but it's been tough going since prohibition ended. Instead, he gets into counterfeiting products with the druggist couple.

This needs a more charismatic gangster to lead. Instead, the big future star is Bette Davis and she doesn't have the flashy central role. This ends up as a passable crime B-movie. That is fine but it's nothing special. It can't elevate beyond its level.