Framed

It's yet another revenge drama, and like "Paid", the woman marries the son of the man she holds responsible for killing her father (as opposed to the guy who sent Crawford up the river). The opening is cops surrounding Brent interrogating her about a cop killing. She refuses to talk, including when she's presented with a police lineup that includes the killer.

Five years later, Brent works as a "hostess" at the casino run by Ralf Harolde. She's his mistress, but every night Toomey comes and grins blandly as she works the crowd. Seriously, there is way more chemistry between Brent and Harolde. Once Brent discovers Toomey is the son of the man who killed her father, she marries him. Do you know, I saw this movie a week ago and I can't remember the rest? Only that Harolde has men assassinated in front of the SAME drugstore at the SAME time every time! You'd think the cops would at least stake it out.

Side note: Evelyn Brent made a hit in Josef von Sternberg's "Underworld" (1927) as "Feathers", a tough gangster's moll. Humorist S. J. Perelman wrote in the New Yorker piece"Smugglers In The Dust": FEATHERS: (eyes smoldering) Hello, you two-timing bastard.

TYRONE: What's the matter, Feathers?

FEATHERS: Nothing. I always say that when I enter a room.

Rose Manning (Evelyn Brent) loses her criminal father in a police shootout. She is interrogated by police inspector Butch McArthur and she vows revenge. Five years later, she is the hostess in a casino owned by bootlegger Chuck Gaines (Ralf Harolde) who has his eyes on her. She falls for Jimmy McArthur (Regis Toomey) before knowing that his father is the man she hates.

This is a pre-Code crime drama. I really like the premise and Evelyn Brent has ballsy energy. The longtime actress was able to make the transition from silent to talkie. I'm not completely in love with this relationship. It's a bit bland. Mostly, he's a bit bland. I wouldn't mind a few more scenes with Chuck doing violent crimes. That would elevate the tension. All in all, this is good enough.

The cop's son, as correctly identified in the cast list, is played by Regis Toomey, not by "a very young William Holden" as stated by another viewer.

William Holden (I) (1918-1981) did not enter films until 1938.

The William Holden (II) in this film (1862-1932) is a much older character actor, who plays Inspector McArthur, and who is no relation to his better known latter day namesake.

Considering the six year gap between their two careers, there is really no reason to confuse the two actors.

For further information on Regis Toomey, consult his webpage.

Creaky, but Sometimes Clever, this Early Talkie was Headlined by Evelyn Brent, Hardly a Household Name. But Her Acting Ability, Especially Making the Transition from the Silents, is Obvious and She Shines in this Male Oriented Gangster Film.

Regis Toomey, in an Early Role, is Underused and Bland, but as Brent Carries the Film it Plods Along with the Expected Datedness that Plagued the Era from 1927-to about 1933. Hollywood's Transition from Silents to Talkies was, Like All Births, Painful at Times.

This One Fares Pretty Good, but Cannot Escapes the Confines of its Playdate. Worth a Watch to See the Unknown Brent and as a Bridge Roughly Traveled as Filmdom was Finding its Feet with New Technology. The Opening and Closing are Stylistic and Connected, the Middle Meanders a bit, but Manages to be Entertaining Enough to Recommend.

Note...There is very little Pre-Code Inclusions worth noting and the Film would have passed the Censors with no problem.

The career of Evelyn Brent probably peaked in the end of the silent era. She made three pics with von Sternberg (Underworld; Last Command; and The Dragnet) and a solid effort with William Wellman (Woman Trap) and did make the jump to talkies, but none of HER pics were successful. This one is mostly straight revenge, taking out her emotions through the cop's son, played by a very young William Holden. Brent has an undisputable presence, and an intriguing nose, and her gowns and dresses are frequently revealing...one or two are cut so low in the back that they would be fashionable and mildly daring today. Fans of early talkies will love this!