Fast Workers (1933)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Writers:

John McDermott (play)
Karl Brown (continuity) ...

Release Date:

10 March 1933 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

They were not the marrying kind, so they agreed that neither one could wed until his pal had tried to win his girl away! The funniest love-test ever made, with thrills and laughs galore when they both fall for the same girl!

Plot:

Gunner and Bucker are pals who work as riveters. Whenever Bucker gets the urge to marry, which is often...

Plot Keywords:

Ambulance | Fight | Betrayal | Poker Game | Flirtation

Cast

John Gilbert	...	Gunner Smith
Robert Armstrong	...	Bucker Reilly
Mae Clarke	...	Mary
Muriel Kirkland	...	Millie
Vince Barnett	...	Spike
Virginia Cherrill	...	Virginia - Girl Who Slaps Bucker
Muriel Evans	...	Nurse
Sterling Holloway	...	Pinky Magoo
Guy Usher	...	Scudder
Warner Richmond	...	Feets Wilson - Construction Worker
Bob Burns	...	Alabam' (as Robert Burns)

Also Known As:

Rivets (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

66 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Passed (National Board of Review)

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

John McDermott's play, "Rivets", was never produced.

Movie Connections:

Features Laughing Sinners (1931)

Really Good John Gilbert Film

Snappy film that looks and feels like a Warners film, this MGM film bristles with sexual tension. John Gilbert is terrific as the construction worker who tangles with smart dame Mae Clarke and pal Robert Armstrong.

Gilbert had his problems at MGM with bastard LB Mayer, but his talent shines thru the rotten films they assigned him. And this film is a perfect example. It's a B film about the loves and lives of menial workers but Gilbert makes it an event. He's confident, sexy, and terrific as the worker who falls into the clutches of a "working girl." The three stars are quite good. The supporting cast includes Herman Bing, Sterling Holloway, Vince Barnett, Bob Burns, Nora Cecil, and Virginia Cherrill.

As mentioned elsewhere, this film finally finished off Gilbert's contract with MGM. Mayer had done his best to ruin Gilbert's career by assigning his garbage films, but Gilbert is really good in this film as well as THE PHANTOM OF Paris and DOWNSTAIRS.

Mayer seemingly had the final word by destroying the career of John Gilbert, but Gilbert has the last laugh by remaining a legendary movie star who ranks among the greats. And most of his talkies (under Mayer) are still notable because of Gilbert's great talent and charisma.