Gable is at his finest here as Charley Kyng, the owner of a gambling nightclub. Charey has a heart condition that is being exacerbated by the stress of running the nightclub. Alexis Smith is his loyal, but neglected wife, Lon. Darryl Hickman is his estranged, teenage son, Paul. Several supporting characters do fine work as members of the nightclub staff or patrons. Frank Morgan (the Wizard from Oz), Marjorie Rambeau, Ed Buchanon, and Mary Astor (in a small role) all do well to create an ambience and setting.
The film really shines in the relationship between Charley and his wife and son. Charley doesn't understand his son at all and is almost ashamed of Paul's lack of street smarts or aggression. Paul, for his part, despises his father for his wicked ways and is embarrassed for people to know who he is. Lon is loyal, but struggles with Charley's need to be at work all the time and with the toxic dynamic between her husband and son.
There is a subplot of Lon's sister and her husband, who live off the Kyngs and the husband is trying to skim money at the casino for some gambler with whom he in debt. It provides some tension and is the impetus for the plot resolution.
Hollywood's golden age is rife with great movies that put character and dialogue over action. This is one of those movies. Gable is in fine form and the movie is real delight.
The film really shines in the relationship between Charley and his wife and son. Charley doesn't understand his son at all and is almost ashamed of Paul's lack of street smarts or aggression. Paul, for his part, despises his father for his wicked ways and is embarrassed for people to know who he is. Lon is loyal, but struggles with Charley's need to be at work all the time and with the toxic dynamic between her husband and son.
There is a subplot of Lon's sister and her husband, who live off the Kyngs and the husband is trying to skim money at the casino for some gambler with whom he in debt. It provides some tension and is the impetus for the plot resolution.
Hollywood's golden age is rife with great movies that put character and dialogue over action. This is one of those movies. Gable is in fine form and the movie is real delight.