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The Earl of Chicago

Play trailer Poster for The Earl of Chicago 1940 1h 25m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 2 Reviews 33% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Silky (Robert Montgomery) makes a living by bootlegging in Chicago during prohibition. After the alcohol ban is lifted, he decides to go legitimate and start his own liquor company. When Silky learns that he is the heir to an English earldom, he decides to travel to Europe to accept his inheritance. Silky enlists Doc Ramsey (Edward Arnold), a former enemy, to preside over his business. The ex-gangster believes Doc is a moral man; when Silky finds out otherwise, he reverts to his violent ways.

Critics Reviews

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P.S. Harrison Harrison's Reports Audiences that are looking for something novel may find this melodrama extremely interesting. Oct 16, 2020 Full Review John Kinloch California Eagle With the exception of Rebecca, this picture is probably the finest currently making the rounds. Oct 29, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Robert Montgomery does a Superb Job as Silky Kilmount, an Illiterate Chicago Gangster who finds out that he is the Earl of Gorley in England that was given up to an Orphanage as a child & falls into a life of Crime instead of an Aristocratic Upbringing he should have had.He falls prey to a Much Smarter, Devious Attorney, who advises him to go to England & take Charge of his Title & Land Holdings.It's quite amusing as we watch him bumble through as this Unsophisticated Gangster who tries to fit into a Culture, & the House of Lords, so above his Manners & Education.When he finds out the Attorney he considers his Trusted Best Friend is using him for personal gain because he is so Daft, he loses it, & kills him in a fit of rage, changing the tone of the film when it becomes about his Murder Trial . He seems to not think he doesn't deserve a trial based on the New Man he has become, & that it was the result of the Temporary Insanity caused by Betrayal.The Dichotomy of this Man & the Two Lives he Lives make this Film quite good. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Montgomery's performance is stellar. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Earl of Chicago

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The Earl of Chicago

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Movie Info

Synopsis Silky (Robert Montgomery) makes a living by bootlegging in Chicago during prohibition. After the alcohol ban is lifted, he decides to go legitimate and start his own liquor company. When Silky learns that he is the heir to an English earldom, he decides to travel to Europe to accept his inheritance. Silky enlists Doc Ramsey (Edward Arnold), a former enemy, to preside over his business. The ex-gangster believes Doc is a moral man; when Silky finds out otherwise, he reverts to his violent ways.
Director
Richard Thorpe, Victor Saville
Producer
Victor Saville
Screenwriter
Lesser Samuels
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 25m