Sam Wood directed Whipsaw, a crime dram starring Myrna Loy and Spencer Tracy.
Grade: B-
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Theatrical release poster by William Rose
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The film was written by Howard Emmett Rogers, based on a story by James Edward Grant, who would become John Wayne’s most influential writer.
Tracy plays a government agent working undercover, traveling across the country with an unsuspecting woman. He hopes she will lead him to her gang of jewel thieves.
Thieves Ed Dexter and Harry Ames are trying to steal some valuable pearls. When Ed discovers another gang, led by “Doc” Evans. he tips off the police.
When the authorities connect Vivian to the robbery (she had worked with Ed and Harry, but not on this theft), government agent Ross McBride is assigned to get Vivian by pretending to be a crook named Danny Ackerman. However, Vivian quickly realizes Ross is a plant, but plays along.
Initially the film was designed for William Powell and Myrna Loy due to their huge hit in 1934, The Thin Man. Tracy was called due to Powell’s unavailability.
Originally, the title of this movie was Unexpected Bride.
In one scene, Myrna Loy appears without makeup, her hair unkempt. MGM executive E.J. Mannix chastised cinematographer James Wong Howe, as MGM had spent millions glamorizing Loy; in the end, the scene was cut.
Myrna Loy and Tracy had an affair during the shooting, in secrecy. It was the first film of the two actors together. In her autobiography, Loy stated that Tracy, who had fallen in love with her, had harassed her. The affair resumed a year later in Libeled Lady, though they managed to hid it from the press.
The film earned $574,000 in the U.S., and $391,000 elsewhere resulting in a profit of $404,000.
Cast
Myrna Loy as Vivian Palmer
Spencer Tracy as Ross McBride / [Danny Ross Ackerman]
Harvey Stephens as Ed Dexter
William Harrigan as “Doc” Evans
Clay Clement as Harry Ames
Robert Gleckler as Steve Arnold
Robert Warwick as Robert W. Wadsworth
Georges Renavent as Monetta
Paul Stanton as Chief Hughes
Wade Boteler as Humphries
Don Rowan as Curley
John Qualen as [Will] Dabson
Irene Franklin as Mme. Marie
Lillian Leighton as Aunt Jane
J. Anthony Hughes as Bailey
William Ingersoll as Dr. Williams
Charles Irwin as Larry King
Credits:
Directed by Sam Wood
Screenplay by Howard Emmett Rogers, based on “The Whipsaw,” James Edward Grant 1934 story in Liberty
Produced by Sam Wood, Harry Rapf
Cinematography James Wong Howe
Edited by Basil Wrangell
Music by William Axt
Production company: MGM
Distributed by Loew’s, Inc.
Release date: Dec 18, 1935 (US)
Running time: 82 minutes
Budget $238,000
Box office $965,000
