The Barbary Coast (1935)

100% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
44% of users liked it
(552 ratings)

It's the wild and woolly waterfront world of San Francisco in the late 1800s in this rambling tale of an outrageous nightclub owner (Edward G. Robinson) and his efforts at wooing lovely Mary Rutledge (Miriam Hopkins), a lovely Eastern lass left to her own devices in the rowdy port city. The innocent… More It's the wild and woolly waterfront world of San Francisco in the late 1800s in this rambling tale of an outrageous nightclub owner (Edward G. Robinson) and his efforts at wooing lovely Mary Rutledge (Miriam Hopkins), a lovely Eastern lass left to her own devices in the rowdy port city. The innocent babe loses that innocence when she becomes a kept lady, running the roulette wheel in Robinson's nightclub. The plot matures when Mary falls in love with an honest and upright gold miner. When the lovers are discovered during a fateful tryst, they flee the evil Robinson, hoping to escape as stowaways aboard a departing ship. Robinson is magnificent in this ruffian role. This action-filled adventure is suitable for the whole family. ~ Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Howard Hawks, William Wyler
Written By: Ben Hecht, Charles MacArthur
Genres: Western, Drama, Action & Adventure, Romance, Classics

In Theaters: Oct 13, 1935 Limited
On DVD: Mar 8, 2005
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Andre Sennwald, New York Times
Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur hammer out a bouncing melodrama of San Francisco's sin and salad days in Barbary Coast.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
A wide-open San Francisco, circa 1890, is the background for one of Howard Hawks's intelligent love triangles.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's an entertaining but lesser Hawks film, too conventional in its storytelling to kick up any dust.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Any self-respecting San Franciscan needs to give Barbary Coast a spin.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
The primitive San Francisco is imbued with a lusty spirit, comprised of mud in the streets, tinkly pianos and crooked card games.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...surely this must be the only film to ever feature a climactic rowboat chase...
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
You can't go far wrong with Miriam Hopkins, Eddie G. and Howard Hawks.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

A bit heavy on the ham in a couple of places but entertaining nontheless, Edward G. is fine as always although he should have rethought the earring. He and Miriam are a fine pair even though he despised her offscreen.

Cast

            Miriam Hopkins as Mary Rutledge

            Edward G. Robinson as Louis Chamalis

            Joel McCrea as James Carmichael

            Walter Brennan as Old Atrocity

            Frank Craven as Col. Marcus Aurelius Cobb

            Brian Donlevy as Knuckles

            Clyde Cook as Oakie

            Harry Carey as Slocum

            Matt McHugh as Bronco

            Otto Hoffman as Peebles

            Rollo Lloyd as Wigham

            J.M. Kerrigan as Judge Harper

            Donald Meek as McTavish

            Herman Bing as Fish Peddler

            Wong Chung as Ah Wing

            Jules Cowles as Pilot

            Roger Gray as Sandy Ferguson

            Kit Guard as Kibitzer

            Harry Holman as Mayor

            Tom London as Ringsider

            Hank Mann
            
            David Niven as Cockney Sailor

            Claude Payton
            
            Victor Potel as Wilkins

            Russell Powell as Sheriff

            Constantine Romanoff as Bouncer

            Harry Semels as Lookout

            Bert Sprotte
            
            Bob Stevenson as Passenger

            Cyril Thornton as Steward

            Jim Thorpe as Indian

            Fredrik Vogeding as Ship's Captain

            Ethel Wales as Mayor's Wife

            Frank Benson
            
            Patricia Farley as Dance Hall Girl

            Anders VanHaden as McCready 2nd Mate

            Dave Wengren as 1st Mate

            Harry Carey Sr.
            
See full cast