The Big Shakedown *** (1934, Charles Farrell, Bette Davis, Ricardo Cortez, Glenda Farrell, Allen Jenkins) – Classic Movie Review 6901

Director John Francis Dillon’s 1934 crime drama stars Bette Davis as platinum blonde Norma Frank, a pharmacy clerk who wants to shake off her pharmacist husband Jimmy (Charles Farrell) when he is duped into joining racketeer Barnes (Ricardo Cortez)’s medicine fraud, making cut-rate drugs.

Apart from the sterling Thirties cast that is its own recommendation, The Big Shakedown is a routine, conveyor-belt gangster support feature from Warner Bros, the company that usually did them best.

However, be prepared for old-style acting that is a bit over the top and a script that is not always too credible, and this brisk-paced, vintage little movie can still entertain nicely.

Also in the cast are Glenda Farrell, Adrian Morris, Allen Jenkins, Henry O’Neill, G Pat Collins, Dewey Robinson, John Wray, Philip Faversham, Earle Fox, Samuel S Hinds, Sidney Miller, Elinor Jackson, Robert Emmett O’Connor, Ben Taggert and Oscar Apfel.

The Big Shakedown is directed by John Francis Dillon, runs 64 minutes, is released by Warner Bros, is written by Niven Busch and Rian James, based on the story Cut Rate by Niven Busch and Samuel G Engel, is shot in black and white by Sidney [Sid] Hickox, is produced by Sam Bischoff and scored by Bernhard Kaun, with Leo F Forbstein as musical director and with Art Direction by John Hughes. The gowns costume design is by Orry-Kelly.

It is the first of six movies Davis released in 1934, five for Warner Bros and one on loan to RKO. It is followed by Fashions of 1934, Jimmy the Gent, Fog Over Frisco, Of Human Bondage and Housewife.

Glenda Farrell later mused: ‘I wonder if Jack Warner appreciated his movie-acting family?’

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6901

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