Madame Racketeer

1932 film

  • July 23, 1932 (1932-07-23)
Running time
72 minutesCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglish

Madame Racketeer is a 1932 American pre-Code comedy film featuring Alison Skipworth, Richard Bennett and George Raft. The movie was directed by Harry Wagstaff Gribble and Alexander Hall.[1] It was produced and distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Plot

Cast

  • Alison Skipworth as Countess/Martha Hicks
  • Richard Bennett as Elmer Hicks
  • George Raft as Jack Houston
  • John Breeden as David Butterworth
  • Evalyn Knapp as Alice Hicks
  • Gertrude Messinger as Patsy Hicks
  • Robert McWade as James Butterworth
  • J. Farrell MacDonald as John Adams
  • Jessie Arnold as Frankie
  • Anna Chandler as Stella
  • Oscar Apfel as J. Harrington Hagneya
  • Arthur Hoyt as Shiffem
  • Irving Bacon as Gus, Desk Clerk
  • George Barbier as Warden George Waddell
  • Frank Beal as Appleby, Bank Director
  • Robert Homans as Chief of Police
  • Winter Hall as Minister
  • Ed Brady as Taxi Driver

Production

The film was based on an original screenplay based on the life of a real woman.[2] It was sold under the title The Countess of Auburn. This was changed to The Sporting Widow then Madame Racketeer.[3] In March 1932 Paramont announced Alison Skipworth would star.[4]

In April 1932 Irving CUmmings signed to direct.[5] George Raft was cast later that month.[6] Raft had recently signed a long-term contract with Paramount off the back of his strength of his work in Scarface but that film had not gone into wide release yet.[7]

Numerous retakes were done after the film was completed.[8]

The movie was one of 23 films put into receivership by Paramount in January 1933.[9]

Reception

The New York Times said "part of it is funny, part of it is amusing enough and some of it is a little on the sadward side."[10]

References

  1. ^ Everett Aaker, The Films of George Raft, McFarland & Company, 2013 p 28
  2. ^ ON THE ROAD TO HOLLYWOOD Hall, Chapin. New York Times April 24, 1932: X3.
  3. ^ HOLLYWOOD IN REVIEW Hall, Chapin. New York Times June 5, 1932: X3.
  4. ^ MOTHER-LOVE THEME EXPLOITED: Noted Trio Slated for Roles in "Counless of Auburn Kingsley, Grace. Los Angeles Times March 1, 1932: A7.
  5. ^ FILMS BASED ON FALLON CAREER: Kingsley, Grace. Los Angeles Times April 18, 1932: 11
  6. ^ Raft's Suavity Utilized in Film Los Angeles Times April 17, 1932: B20.
  7. ^ Vagg, Stephen (February 9, 2020). "Why Stars Stop Being Stars: George Raft". Filmink.
  8. ^ HOLLYWOOD IN REVIEW Hall, Chapin. New York Times July 17, 1932: X3.
  9. ^ 23 FILM PLAYS PUT INTO RECEIVERSHIP: Paramount Bondholder's Plea Is Granted to Guard the Pictures Against Seizure. VALUED AT $10,000,000 Held by Subsidiary, Whose Notes Were Used to Secure Loans From Banks. New York Times January 31, 1933: 19.
  10. ^ Madame Racketeer. L.N. New York Times ]July 23, 1932: 6

External links

  • Madame Racketeer at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata
  • Madame Racketeer at BFI
  • Madame Racketeer at Letterbox DVD
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Films directed by Alexander Hall