Madame Racketeer

Madame Racketeer is a 1932 American pre-Code comedy film featuring Alison Skipworth, Richard Bennett and George Raft. The movie was directed by Harry Wagstaff Gribble and Alexander Hall.^[1] It was produced and distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Madame Racketeer
Directed by	Harry Wagstaff Gribble Alexander Hall
Written by	Malcolm Stuart Boylan Harvey Gates
Produced by	Harry Wagstaff Gribble
Starring	Alison Skipworth Richard Bennett George Raft
Cinematography	Henry Sharp
Music by	John Leipold
Production company	Paramount Pictures
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date	July 23, 1932 (1932-07-23)
Running time	72 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Plot

Cast

• Alison Skipworth as Countess/Martha Hicks
• Richard Bennett as Elmer Hicks
• George Raft as Jack Houston
• John Breeden as David Butterworth
• Evalyn Knapp as Alice Hicks
• Gertrude Messinger as Patsy Hicks
• Robert McWade as James Butterworth
• J. Farrell MacDonald as John Adams
• Jessie Arnold as Frankie
• Anna Chandler as Stella
• Oscar Apfel as J. Harrington Hagneya
• Arthur Hoyt as Shiffem
• Irving Bacon as Gus, Desk Clerk
• George Barbier as Warden George Waddell
• Frank Beal as Appleby, Bank Director
• Robert Homans as Chief of Police
• Winter Hall as Minister
• Ed Brady as Taxi Driver

Production

The film was based on an original screenplay based on the life of a real woman.^[2] It was sold under the title The Countess of Auburn. This was changed to The Sporting Widow then Madame Racketeer.^[3] In March 1932 Paramount announced Alison Skipworth would star.^[4]

In April 1932 Irving Cummings signed to direct.^[5] George Raft was cast later that month.^[6] Raft had recently signed a long-term contract with Paramount off the back of his strength of his work in Scarface but that film had not gone into wide release yet.^[7]

Numerous retakes were done after the film was completed.^[8]

The movie was one of 23 films put into receivership by Paramount in January 1933.^[9]

Reception

The New York Times said "part of it is funny, part of it is amusing enough and some of it is a little on the sadward side."^[10]

References

1. Everett Aaker, The Films of George Raft, McFarland & Company, 2013 p 28
2. ON THE ROAD TO HOLLYWOOD Hall, Chapin. New York Times April 24, 1932: X3.
3. HOLLYWOOD IN REVIEW Hall, Chapin. New York Times June 5, 1932: X3.
4. MOTHER-LOVE THEME EXPLOITED: Noted Trio Slated for Roles in "Countess of Auburn Kingsley, Grace. Los Angeles Times March 1, 1932: A7.
5. FILMS BASED ON FALLON CAREER: Kingsley, Grace. Los Angeles Times April 18, 1932: 11
6. Raft's Suavity Utilized in Film Los Angeles Times April 17, 1932: B20.
7. Vagg, Stephen (February 9, 2020). "Why Stars Stop Being Stars: George Raft". Filmink.
8. HOLLYWOOD IN REVIEW Hall, Chapin. New York Times July 17, 1932: X3.
9. 23 FILM PLAYS PUT INTO RECEIVERSHIP: Paramount Bondholder's Plea Is Granted to Guard the Pictures Against Seizure. VALUED AT $10,000,000 Held by Subsidiary, Whose Notes Were Used to Secure Loans From Banks. New York Times January 31, 1933: 19.
10. Madame Racketeer. L.N. New York Times ]July 23, 1932: 6

External links

• Madame Racketeer at IMDb
• Madame Racketeer at BFI
• Madame Racketeer at Letterbox DVD