The Murder Man *** (1935, Spencer Tracy, Virginia Bruce, Lionel Atwill, James Stewart, Harvey Stephens, William Collier Sr, Bobby Watson, William Demarest, Robert Barrat) – Classic Movie Review 12,119

Director Tim Whelan’s 1935 American crime-drama film The Murder Man is Spencer Tracy’s first film for MGM, a humble, quickly made thriller with Tracy as a tough crime reporter called Steve Grey, who kills financier Harvey Stephens’s partner and frames Stephens, who together have ruined William Collier Sr, Tracy’s father.

This crime movie is all quite niftily done, with Tracy and Collier Sr especially fine, and the fast pace and proficient handling compensating for the clichés and surprisingly cheap-looking production (which is unusual for an MGM movie).

There is another notable first – James Stewart’s feature film début movie appearance in a flashy support role as Tracy’s fellow cub reporter named Shorty. MGM screen-tested Stewart, aged 27, and put him on contract after a word from gossip lady Hedda Hopper. He previously appeared in a Shemp Howard comedy short called Art Trouble.

Tracy went on to a 20-year career with MGM. Stewart has sixth billing.

The film cost $167,000 and earned $344,000 in north America and $202,000 elsewhere (total of $546,000) for a profit of $184,000. So with a profit more than its cost, the film launched Tracy and Stewart on their way up.

The Murder Man is directed by Tim Whelan, runs 84 minutes, is made by MGM, is released Loew’s Inc, is written by Tim Whelan and John C Higgins, based on a story by Guy Bolton and Tim Whelan, is shot in black and white by Lester White, is produced by Harry Rapf, is scored by William Axt, and is designed by Cedric Gibbons.

It was released on 12 July 1935 (US).

The cast are Spencer Tracy as Steve Grey, Virginia Bruce as Mary, Lionel Atwill as Captain Cole, Harvey Stephens as Henry Mander, Robert Barrat as Robins, James Stewart as Shorty, William Collier Sr as Pop Grey, Bobby Watson as Carey Booth, William Demarest as Red Maguire, John Sheehan as Sweeney, Lucien Littlefield as Rafferty, George Chandler as Sol Hertzberger, Fuzzy Knight as Buck Hawkins, Louise Henry as Lillian Hopper, Robert Warwick as Colville, Joe Irving as Tony, Ralph Bushman [Francis X Bushman] as Pendleton, Stanley Andrews, Irving Bacon, William Bailey, Al Bridge, Jack Cheatham, Heinie Conklin, John Dilson, James Flavin, Robert Frazer, George Guhl, Selmer Jackson, Frank Mayo, Bob Murphy, Frank O’Connor, James Pierce, Cyril Ring, Jennie Roberts, Larry Steers, Ben Taggart, Charles Trowbridge, Harry Tyler, and Theodore von Eltz.

© Derek Winnert 2022 Classic Movie Review 12,119

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