Review of The Beast of the City (1932) by Antonius B — 01 Nov 2013
Overblown antique that would be forgotten except for fans of Huston were it not for the presence of Jean Harlow in the cast. In her last supporting role before Red Headed Woman moved her to the top of the MGM pecking order she is cheap, brassy and sexual in a way that would disappear once the Hays Code went into effect in a few years.
As for the rest of the film, it has pieces of dialogue that are wildly inappropriate in both racial and feminist context but were standard at the time. Huston's performance is variable, mostly good but with some ham-fisted touches but he is subtlety itself compared to Tully Marshall as the defense attorney who is so florid during one of his speeches it's impossible to keep a straight face.
The climax is another piece of over the top absurdity but if you're a Harlow fan the film is worth watching.
This review of The Beast of the City (1932) was written by Antonius B on 01 November 2013.
The Beast of the City has generally received positive reviews.
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