Manhattan Melodrama (1934) Facts

Drama, Crime, Romance

W.S. Van Dyke

Clark Gable, William Powell, and Myrna Loy star in this aptly titled film about best friends who end up on opposite sides of the law and fall in love with the same woman. Young Blackie Gallagher (Mickey Rooney) and Jim Wade are orphaned at the same time and adopted by the same father, but they have very different aspirations. Diligent Wade (Powell) grows up to become the local district attorney, while dashing Blackie (Gable) runs a gambling joint. Wade runs for governor and during the election is forced to prosecute Blackie for a murder that could send Blackie to the electric chair even if Blackie's motives were pure. Meanwhile, Blackie's mistress, Eleanor (Myrna Loy), is falling hard for Wade. This tearjerker was an enormous financial and commercial success in its day, and it's the only film in which Gable and Powell worked together. The three stars are perfectly cast, and their accomplished performances create a fine melodrama.

93 minutes