The Bowery (1933)

Director:

Raoul Walsh

Writers:

Howard Estabrook (writer)
James Gleason (writer)

Release Date:

7 October 1933 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

"CHUCK" CONNORS MONARCH OF ALL HE SURVEYED AND COULD LICK!

Plot:

"In the Gay Nineties New York had grown up into bustles and balloon Sleeves ... but The Bowery had grown younger...

Plot Keywords:

Brooklyn Bridge | Based On Novel

Cast

Wallace Beery	...	Chuck Connors
George Raft	...	Steve Brodie
Jackie Cooper	...	Swipes McGurk
Fay Wray	...	Lucy Calhoun
Pert Kelton	...	Trixie Odbray
Herman Bing	...	Max Herman
Oscar Apfel	...	Ivan Rummel
Ferdinand Munier	...	Honest Mike
George Walsh	...	John L. Sullivan
Lillian Harmer	...	Carrie A. Nation

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Certification:

Finland:K-16

Company:

20th Century Pictures

Trivia:

George Raft and Wallace Beery were at odds during filming. According to Raft, before the fistfight scene, Beery asked Raft to let him throw the first punch and then proceeded to sucker-punch Raft, knocking him out for several minutes. "When I came to I got up and called him everything I could think of," Raft said. They then fought for real, and the crew had to break it up.

Quotes:

Steve Brodie: Don't ever say I never give ya nothin'.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Hollywoodism: Jews, Movies and the American Dream (1998) (TV)

Quintessential Walsh

"The Bowery", along with "Me and My Gal"(1932), is probably director Raoul Walsh's best film at Fox. This is a one Walsh picture that will appeal to all kinds of audiences and perhaps turn you into a devoted Walsh enthusiast. I've always been a big Walsh fanatic and "Bowery" is one of few of his pictures that has eluded for quite some time. I finally saw it and was blown away by it.

"Bowery" is also Walsh's best film of 1933, easily eclipsing the ponderous "Going Hollywood". Inspired by Mae West's hugely successful comedy-riot "She Done Him Wrong", Walsh rightfully turned this pre-Code frolic into his own. All the Walsh touches are here in full bloom: the rousing ebullience & energy, the portrait of everyday life, the sheer innocence of its characters, the nostalgic evocation of the Gay 90s (Walsh's own impressionable years), and the unsophisticated resort to ribald humor, brawls, and jocularity. It also features John L. Sullavan, Errol Flynn's famous opponent in Walsh's 1942 boxing classic "Gentleman Jim".

George Raft and Wallace Beery are excellent as the two rivals in New York's Bowery of the 1890s. They are fighting for the love of Fay Wray (always a welcome sight). Jackie Cooper, playing the streetwise rascal, reunites with Beery after their successful teaming in Vidor's "The Champ" and it is great to watch them again.

Ultimately, though, it is Walsh's sheer exuberance that counts the most. "Bowery" is one of my all-time favorite films, the kind of picture that you would like to watch again and again. A must if you get a chance to see it.