Here's one to disappoint all Carole Lombard's fans and one that will not make a great impression on Robert Armstrong's either. On the other hand, Paul Hurst's legion of admirers will be in seventh heaven. Hurst not only has a meaty role for once (even if it was all shot in one day) but plays it brilliantly. Also to the fore is Hurst's victim, Al Hill, in his best role ever. Kit Guard as Gus also enjoys the best moments of his career. On the other hand, Roland Drew, as the third point in the Armstrong-Lombard love triangle, is a dud. Fortunately, this suits the role to some extent, though one is left wondering what a spoiled, sexy socialite finds in the dope ("dope" in both senses of that word). Like many "B" movie directors, Howard "Sal of Singapore" Higgin sails neatly through the movie, seemingly unaware of the many sound recording problems that worried "A" directors like Victor Fleming, King Vidor and John Ford. Available on a very good Grapevine DVD.
Review of The Racketeer
