Blast from the Past: Backstage Movies
Richard Barthelmess made his last screen appearance (before retiring from acting) in Alfred E. Green’s The Mayor of 44th Street, a backstage melodrama with crime elements, starring George Murphy and Anne Shirley.
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George Murphy plays a reformed crook named Joe Jonathan, who has made a success as a booking agent at supper clubs. Richard Barthelmess’ Jessey Lee is his ex-partner, who is up for parole and needs a job to get out of prison. Jonathan volunteers to help out and offers him a place at his agency.
However, Lee returns to his old ways, pushing “protection“ to the bands they represent. When Jonathan finds out, he cans the crook.
A spree of violence ensues as Lee turns up the pressure, torching Jonatan’s best club. Jonathan tries to settle the score, but he’s beaten by Lee’s gang until some ordinary citizens save the day.
This was Barthelmess’s last film before he retired from acting.
My Oscar Book:
Oscar Context:
The tune “There’s a Breeze on Lake Louise” was nominated for the Best Song Oscar, but did not win.
Cast
George Murphy as Joe Jonathan
Anne Shirley as Jessey Lee
William Gargan as Tommy Fallon
Richard Barthelmess as Ed Kirby.
Joan Merrill as Vicky Lane
Freddy Martin as himself
Rex Downing as Bits McKarg
Millard Mitchell as Herman
Mary Wickes as Mamie
Credits:
Directed by Alfred E. Green
Screenplay by Lewis R. Foster, Frank Ryan, story by Robert Hardy Andrews, based on “The Mayor of 44th Street,” 1940 story in Collier’s by John Cleveland and Luther Davis
Produced by Cliff Reid
Cinematography Robert De Grasse
Edited by Irene Morra
Music by C. Bakaleinikoff
Distributed by RKO Pictures
Release date: May 15, 1942
Running time: 86 minutes
