Jimmy the Gent (Always a Gent) (The Heir Chaser) (1934)

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James Cagney runs a shady missing-heir tracing service, occasionally providing phony heirs in order to collect his fee. He suffers a tinge of jealousy when he takes a gander at the offices of a legitimate tracing firm, where his former girlfriend (Bette Davis) has taken a job. Jimmy soon learns that… More James Cagney runs a shady missing-heir tracing service, occasionally providing phony heirs in order to collect his fee. He suffers a tinge of jealousy when he takes a gander at the offices of a legitimate tracing firm, where his former girlfriend (Bette Davis) has taken a job. Jimmy soon learns that the reputable organization's boss (Alan Dinehart) is more crooked than Jimmy ever was, but he can't convince the girl of this fact. Using his own street smarts, Cagney exposes the "honest" heir tracer and agrees to go straight if his girl will come back to him. At the time Jimmy the Gent was filmed, James Cagney was getting tired of the formula pictures being handed him; rather than go on suspension, he expressed his displeasure by shaving his hair almost down to the bone, which is why he appears in this film with an uncharacteristic buzz-cut. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 7 min.
Directed By: Michael Curtiz
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 17, 1934 Wide

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Featured Audience Ratings

Mike T

Michael Curtiz does fantastic things while working within a visually restrictive story. This whole film is filled with a sense of immediacy, and the energy that it exudes is outstanding. The dialogue is witty, snappy and often very funny, and it is the predominant force that moves the… More
Michael Curtiz does fantastic things while working within a visually restrictive story. This whole film is filled with a sense of immediacy, and the energy that it exudes is outstanding. The dialogue is witty, snappy and often very funny, and it is the predominant force that moves the picture along. Memorable performances from an excellent cast, with stand-outs from the great James Cagney and the equally great Bette Davis.

Cast

            James Cagney as Jimmy Corrigan

            Bette Davis as Joan Martin

            Alice White as Mabel

            Allen Jenkins as Louis

            Alan Dinehart as James J. Wallingham

            Arthur Hohl as Joe Rector

            Phillip Reed as Ronnie Gatson

            Hobart Cavanaugh as The Imposter

            Mayo Methot as Gladys Farrell

            Ralf Harolde as Hendrickson

            Philip Faversham as Blair

            Nora Lane as Posy Barton

            Monica Bannister as Tea Assistant

            Joseph Crehan as Judge

            Lester Dorr as Chalmers

            Donald Douglas as Man Drinking Tea

            Jay Eaton as Young Man

            Dick French
            
            Eula Guy as Nurse

            Ben Hendricks Jr. as Ferris

            Charles Hickman as Bailiff

            Howard Hickman as Doctor

            Harry Holman as Justice of the Peace

            Robert E. Homans as Irish Cop

            Olaf Hytten
            
            Merna Kennedy as Jitters

            Milt Kibbee as Ambulance Driver

            Lorena Layson as Brunette

            Stanley Mack as Pete

            Lee Moran as Stew

            Leonard Mudie as Man in Flower Shop

            Vesey O'Davoren as Steward

            Eddie Shubert as Tim

            Harry Wallace as Eddie

            Juliet Ware as Viola

            Billy West as Halley

            Renee Whitney as Bessie

            Pat Wing as Secretary

            Dennis O'Keefe as Chester Coote

            Robert Warwick as Civil Judge

            Joe Sawyer as Mike

            Tom Costello as Grant

            Harold Entwistle as Rev. Amiel Bottsford

            Camille Rovelle as File Clerk
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