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Manhattan Melodrama

Play trailer Poster for Manhattan Melodrama 1934 1h 33m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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81% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Jim Wade and Blackie Gallagher are two boys orphaned by the sinking of a ship. Upon the death of their guardian, also a survivor of the sinking, the boys go their separate ways. Jim (William Powell) grows up to have a prominent political career, while Blackie (Clark Gable) becomes a casino owner and killer. Despite Blackie's lifestyle, the two men remain bonded through thick and thin. But when Jim runs for governor, his association with Blackie threatens his chances.
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Manhattan Melodrama

Critics Reviews

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THR Staff The Hollywood Reporter 05/08/2018
Audiences will not fail to react emotionally to the intelligent writing of it... Each situation is milked dry, yet never overplayed. Go to Full Review TIME Magazine 07/26/2010
Well directed by W. S. Van Dyke, superbly photographed by famed Chinese Cinematographer James Wong Howe, Manhattan Melodrama is first-rate cinema, chiefly important because it marks the elevation to stardom of Myrna Loy. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety 03/26/2009
Apart from the Clark Gable-William Powell stellar duo and Myrna Loy, who does an excellent job as the principal femme, the Arthur Caesar story is replete with punchy popularly-appealing ingredients. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Dec 6
2.5/4
It’s awfully contrived, but the stars do fine work. Go to Full Review Josephine O'Neill Daily Telegraph (Australia) 10/14/2020
Makes the modern stuff manneredly anaemic in comparison. And how many films have copied its plot? Go to Full Review Ann Ross Maclean's Magazine 07/22/2019
The audience suffers quite a long time before. Not recommended. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Richard O Aug 31 This movie was OK till the ending!! The one Protagonist confess to a crime which ends his run as Governor after sending the Antagonist to his rightful death! Then the female led comes back to the Protagonist and after leaving him asks for him to take her back and he does!! Who wrote such a crappy ending?? See more Ben L @Ptrex Aug 9 Loy and Powell what else do you need, oh and Clark Gable …enough said..1930s magic. Did you know that both Powell and Gable were married to Carole Lombard? Anywoo, recommend to anyone who loves those 30s flicks. See more Steve D 06/10/2023 lives down to its name. See more Connor S 05/04/2023 The last movie that John Dillinger ever saw was just........good enough. See more 03/04/2022 I'm giving this 2 stars as it's pretty average fare. William Powell seems miscast as he isn't his usual witty self in this role, but it's still interesting to see him together with Gable. This is another film that demonstrates why the King of Hollywood had no competition for the role of Rhett Butler a few years later. Like everyone else, I spotted Mickey Rooney standing in for the boyhood version of Gable's character, Blackie. The versatile Myrna Loy is her usual Boffo Box Office. See more Ed M 01/04/2022 A little dated but three legends: Gable, Powell, Myrna. And where else are you going to see Mickey Rooney play a young Clark Gable? See more Read all reviews
Manhattan Melodrama

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Cast & Crew

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W. S. Van Dyke II

Director

Clark Gable

Edward J. `'Blackie'` Gallagher

William Powell

Jim Wade

Myrna Loy

Eleanor Packer

Leo Carrillo

Father Joe

Isabel Jewell

Annabelle

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Manhattan Melodrama

Manhattan Melodrama (1934) Manhattan Melodrama (1934) Manhattan Melodrama (1934) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Jim Wade and Blackie Gallagher are two boys orphaned by the sinking of a ship. Upon the death of their guardian, also a survivor of the sinking, the boys go their separate ways. Jim (William Powell) grows up to have a prominent political career, while Blackie (Clark Gable) becomes a casino owner and killer. Despite Blackie's lifestyle, the two men remain bonded through thick and thin. But when Jim runs for governor, his association with Blackie threatens his chances.
Director
W. S. Van Dyke II
Producer
David O. Selznick
Screenwriter
Oliver H.P. Garrett, Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Production Co
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 4, 1934, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2009
Runtime
1h 33m
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