The Bowery

Play trailer

The Bowery

Released Oct 7, 1933

1h 32m

History

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

Tomatometer

4 Reviews

42%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

In turn-of-the century New York City, Bowery bar owner Chuck (Wallace Beery) and thrill-seeker Steve (George Raft) enjoy finding new ways to insult, prank and outdo one another, their antics typically revolving around some kind of wager. But when both toughs lay eyes on the lovely but luckless Lucy (Fay Wray), their game of one-upmanship turns more serious. Chuck dares Steve to make a death-defying leap from the Brooklyn Bridge, with the former's bar and the latter's life on the line.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Globe Staff

Boston Globe

One of the more amusing and effective pictures of the year.

Apr 23, 2024

Full Review

Richard Brody

The New Yorker

The casual and constant violence, the drunkenness and gambling, the punished, unkempt bodies, and the mercurial swings between gutter and glory make Walsh's raw, raunchy film the authentic "Gangs of New York."

Feb 6, 2017

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: C

Mar 13, 2013

Full Review

Michael E. Grost

Classic Film and Television

Failed low brow comedy is done in by racism.

Jan 3, 2012

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Member

A picture of old New York. Wallace Beery the usual brawler opposite gorge raft, pre King Kong Fay Wray, and Jackie Cooper as a scamp sidekick.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Raucous Raoul Walsh film is possibly one of the most un-PC films ever made; if you can overcome the racial slurs and abuse toward women and children (and kittens!), you can wallow in the star power of the leading players.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Failed low brow comedy is done in by racism.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

bill t

After a bit of an out of control beginning, where everything is taking place (and some downright awful racism), the film calms down somewhat as Wallace Beery and George Raft struggle to gain control of the Bowery in New York. Not the greatest, somewhat drags. Jackie Coogan is there to keep the tear ducts flowing apparently.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie is hilarious!!! Thank god for film lit or I never would have seen it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Good and interesting movie

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Raoul Walsh

Director

Wallace Beery

Chuck Connors

George Raft

Steve Brodie

Jackie Cooper

Swipes McGurk

Fay Wray

Lucy Calhoun

Pert Kelton

Trixie Odbray

View more photos

Synopsis

In turn-of-the century New York City, Bowery bar owner Chuck (Wallace Beery) and thrill-seeker Steve (George Raft) enjoy finding new ways to insult, prank and outdo one another, their antics typically revolving around some kind of wager. But when both toughs lay eyes on the lovely but luckless Lucy (Fay Wray), their game of one-upmanship turns more serious. Chuck dares Steve to make a death-defying leap from the Brooklyn Bridge, with the former's bar and the latter's life on the line.

Director: Raoul Walsh
Producer: Darryl F Zanuck
Screenwriter: Howard Estabrook, James Gleason
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 7, 1933, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 20, 2014
Runtime: 1h 32m

Most Popular at Home Now