If there were ratings back in the 1930s, this would have been rated R. If you cut out everything in this film that the Hayes Code did not allow, it would probably be about 30 minutes long. Seriously.
There's blatant references to prostitution, lots of ass-slapping, older men getting an underage girl drunk in order to take advantage of her, very aggressive men forcing kisses on said underage girl almost to the point of attempted rape, open acknowledgement that the object of their "affection" is indeed underage, a creepy intergenerational kiss between a young man and a much older woman, blatantly acknowledged adultery, white collar criminality that goes unpunished, a horrible death from asphyxiation in a bank vault, scantily clad women, murder and suicide. Some of these scenes are genuinely uncomfortable to watch.
All of this happens as a variety of tales unfold and intertwine in The Dwight Building; the 100-story edifice owned by David Dwight (Warren William). Well, it doesn't start off with him owning the building because he's $30 Million in debt, but that's taken care of with a bit of stock market manipulation that benefits him and destroys everyone else.
This film is a powerhouse vehicle for Warren William. He is an awful human being. He's a greedy, manipulative, pathological liar and misogynist that preys on the innocent ... much like the orange-tinted current occupant of the White House. The only difference is that Dwight is charming and witty and smarter than those around him. It's really odd to have such a nasty character be so likable.
The other stories involve a very aggressive young banker that stalks / assaults the young and innocent secretary to Mr. Dwight's personal secretary / girlfriend, an office drone in love with a whore who refuses his advances until she's broke and desperately needs money, the corruption of a young innocent into a world of wealth and booze and sex, and rich men plotting stock market manipulation that leave ordinary people destitute (and they don't care as long as they benefit.)
While Warren William in indisputably the star of this film, Maureen O'Sullivan puts in a strong performance as Lynn Harding - the young innocent who is aggressively pursued by everyone. I also enjoyed Anita Page as the whore Jenny LeGrande. And Hedda Hopper makes an appearance as the wife of David Dwight who drops by every so often to pick up $100,000 here and $100,000 there.
The story is fascinating, the performances are strong, and the subject matter really pushes the boundaries of what you may expect to see in an early black and white film.
HIGHly recommended!
There's blatant references to prostitution, lots of ass-slapping, older men getting an underage girl drunk in order to take advantage of her, very aggressive men forcing kisses on said underage girl almost to the point of attempted rape, open acknowledgement that the object of their "affection" is indeed underage, a creepy intergenerational kiss between a young man and a much older woman, blatantly acknowledged adultery, white collar criminality that goes unpunished, a horrible death from asphyxiation in a bank vault, scantily clad women, murder and suicide. Some of these scenes are genuinely uncomfortable to watch.
All of this happens as a variety of tales unfold and intertwine in The Dwight Building; the 100-story edifice owned by David Dwight (Warren William). Well, it doesn't start off with him owning the building because he's $30 Million in debt, but that's taken care of with a bit of stock market manipulation that benefits him and destroys everyone else.
This film is a powerhouse vehicle for Warren William. He is an awful human being. He's a greedy, manipulative, pathological liar and misogynist that preys on the innocent ... much like the orange-tinted current occupant of the White House. The only difference is that Dwight is charming and witty and smarter than those around him. It's really odd to have such a nasty character be so likable.
The other stories involve a very aggressive young banker that stalks / assaults the young and innocent secretary to Mr. Dwight's personal secretary / girlfriend, an office drone in love with a whore who refuses his advances until she's broke and desperately needs money, the corruption of a young innocent into a world of wealth and booze and sex, and rich men plotting stock market manipulation that leave ordinary people destitute (and they don't care as long as they benefit.)
While Warren William in indisputably the star of this film, Maureen O'Sullivan puts in a strong performance as Lynn Harding - the young innocent who is aggressively pursued by everyone. I also enjoyed Anita Page as the whore Jenny LeGrande. And Hedda Hopper makes an appearance as the wife of David Dwight who drops by every so often to pick up $100,000 here and $100,000 there.
The story is fascinating, the performances are strong, and the subject matter really pushes the boundaries of what you may expect to see in an early black and white film.
HIGHly recommended!