Laughing Sinners *** (1931, Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, Neil Hamilton, Marjorie Rambeau, Guy Kibbee) – Classic Movie Review 5785

Director Harry Beaumont’s creaky but swift-moving and entertaining 1931 MGM vintage romantic melodrama re-teams Joan Crawford and Clark Gable after Dance, Fools, Dance (1931).

Salesman Howard ‘Howdy’ Palmer (Neil Hamilton) drops his bar singer girlfriend Ivy ‘Bunny’ Stevens (Crawford), who then contemplates suicide until unlikely Salvation Army man Carl Loomis (Gable) steps in to save her.

This greatly dated, faded film tells a hokey tale with a clichéd script. But the movie is brightened enormously by the two tremendous stars Crawford and Gable, showing their sexual chemistry, acting charisma and star appeal even when the chips are down – always the signs of a great movie actor.

This neglected antique may be just a minor treasure but it is still a must for the luminous Crawford and Gable, then just establishing themselves as reigning queen and king of Hollywood.

Also in the cast are Marjorie Rambeau, Guy Kibbee, Roscoe Karns, Cliff Edwards, Gertrude Short, George Cooper, George E Marion, Bert Woodruff, Henry Armetta, Jack Baxley, Clara Blandick, Tenen Holtz, Mary Ann Jackson, Karen Morley, Lee Phelps and Henry Roquemore.

The screenplay by Bess Meredyth, Martin Flavin and Edith Fitzgerald is based on the play Torch Song by Kenyon Nicholson. Charles Rosher shoots in black and white.

Gable and Crawford re-teamed for Possessed (1931), Dancing Lady (1933), Chained (1934), Forsaking All Others (1934) and Love on the Run (1936), Strange Cargo (1940).

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5785

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Movie Queens: Joan Crawford by Graeme Jukes.