That's how racketeering boss Walter Huston refers to himself, the head of a protection racketeering that has clever ways of dealing with those who don't pay for his protection. The opening scene is a shocking one. The set of the highway above a railroad has to be seen, and the sudden "accident" quite shocking. Charming and personable, you'd never know what he does for a living, especially when you meet his newly returned daughter, Loretta Young and Huston proves how honest a dishonest man is by confessing what he does for a living. This makes her break off her engagement to handsome David Manners and go to work for single mother Doris Kenyon who is on her father's payroll.
This pre-code gangster drama is surprisingly violent with a train sabotage scene halfway through the movie equally as stunning as the opening car accident. Twists in regards to Kenyon are surprising, and the head of Huston's board (Dudley Digges) twice as ruthless as Huston, making threats when Huston wants out of the racket to win Young back. Mixing mob wars with fatherly love makes the plotline a bit soapy, but Huston's performance is top notch. A funny modern reference has Manners character named Dick Cheney. Douglas Scott as Kenyon's son may remind viewers of early 30's child star Dickie Moore. The typical top notch Warners tech department makes this fun, even if it is a bit convoluted and frequently unbelievable.
This pre-code gangster drama is surprisingly violent with a train sabotage scene halfway through the movie equally as stunning as the opening car accident. Twists in regards to Kenyon are surprising, and the head of Huston's board (Dudley Digges) twice as ruthless as Huston, making threats when Huston wants out of the racket to win Young back. Mixing mob wars with fatherly love makes the plotline a bit soapy, but Huston's performance is top notch. A funny modern reference has Manners character named Dick Cheney. Douglas Scott as Kenyon's son may remind viewers of early 30's child star Dickie Moore. The typical top notch Warners tech department makes this fun, even if it is a bit convoluted and frequently unbelievable.