Vanity Street (1932)

Charles Bickford was all too often stuck with supporting roles, but he’s got much more to do here in this gritty drama. He is police officer “Murphy” who encounters the vulnerable young “Jeanie” (Helen Chandler) who is homeless and helpless. She has some talent for the stage so he manages to get her a job on the “Follies” where she first meets it’s star “Fern” (Mayo Methot). Now that woman is having a clandestine affair with the duplicitous “French” (George Meeker) who is systematically bleeding her dry. When she threatens to walk off unless she is paid more, her producer calls her bluff and appoints the young “Jeanie”, but before she can start the job or, for that matter, before the now completely loved-up “Murphy” can walk her down the aisle, a murder is committed and though we, watching, know who did the deed, “Murphy” doesn’t and a clue at the scene points to his gal. Is she guilty? How can he prove not? This is a solid crime thriller with two strong female roles, as well those from Bickford an the on-form Meeker and there’s a steady stream of toxicity that doesn’t exactly show the world of theatre in a great light either. Director Nick Grinde keeps the pace strong, the melodrama at bay and makes better use of his stars than many others at this early stage of the talkies.