The Racketeer

1929
Passed
1h 8m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Carole Lombard and Robert Armstrong in The Racketeer (1929)

A dapper gangster sponsors an alcoholic violinist in order to win the love of a glamorous divorced socialite.A dapper gangster sponsors an alcoholic violinist in order to win the love of a glamorous divorced socialite.A dapper gangster sponsors an alcoholic violinist in order to win the love of a glamorous divorced socialite.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

5.3/10

471

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Top cast15

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Robert Armstrong

Mahlon Keane

Carole Lombard

Rhoda Philbrooke
(as Carol Lombard)

Roland Drew

Tony Vaughan

Paul Hurst

Mehaffy

Kit Guard

Al Hill

Squid

Bobby Dunn

The Rat
(as Bobbie Dunn)

Budd Fine

Bernie Weber
(as Bud Fine)

Hedda Hopper

Mrs. Lee

Jeanette Loff

Millie Chapman

John Loder

Jack Oakhurst

Winter Hall

Mr. Chapman

Winifred Harris

Mrs. Chapman

Robert Parrish

Street Urchin
(uncredited)

Phillips Smalley

Roulette Player
(uncredited)

User reviews24

Featured review

7/10

Stereotypical gangster picture with a romantic twist.

I enjoyed this 66 minute film despite the overly theatrical delivery of almost every line. One gets the impression that this film was directed by an eighth grade home economics teacher. Despite this annoying drawback, the story is sweet and there is a genuine chemistry between the leading lady, Carole Lombard, and the head gangster played by Robert Armstrong.

Carole Lombard is attractively photographed and has a large amount of quality screen time here. She is pulled in two directions by two men who genuinely care for her. One is a concert violinist who we are introduced to early on in the picture as a man who has been reduced to nothing more than a bum in the gutter. The other is the suave gangster who for the first time has found something in this life greater than himself. The question is: who needs her most and who truly loves her? And in what direction will fate allow her to go.

The dramatic ending will tug at your heart-strings. This was Carole's last picture for Pathe studios.

Photos7

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Whether by intention or mistake, the invitation to the orphans benefit party indicates the story takes place in the year 1930, on Tuesday, May 13. In 1929, the year the movie was made, May 13 fell on a Monday.

Goofs
When Gus spots rival gangster Bernie Weber riding in the back of a taxi, he tells his driver Squid to pull alongside it so he can shoot him. Gus refers to it as a gray cab, and in the studio close-up it appears to be white or at least a very light gray. In the subsequent cut to the location shot done outdoors on location, the cab with the dead mobster appears to be black.

Quotes
Rhoda Philbrooke: Mr Keane, If you'll understand what I'm going to say, we'll save time. I cheated last night because I needed money. You helped me. I'm grateful to you for that, but that's all. If that's clear to you, will you please go?
Mahlon Keane: I didn't come here for your thanks.
Rhoda Philbrooke: There's nothing else I have to give you.
Mahlon Keane: But I think there are a few things I have to give you.
Rhoda Philbrooke: Oh. You can't understand that a woman who would cheat for money might not care to do other things...