Acting
Hope stretching beyond comedy into surprisingly nuanced territory.
Production
Glossy Paramount backlot recreating 1920s Manhattan.
Director
Melville Shavelson
Bob Hope
Mayor James J. 'Jimmy' Walker
Vera Miles
Betty Compton
Paul Douglas
Chris Nolan
Alexis Smith
Allie Walker
Darren McGavin
Charley Hand
Joe Mantell
Bernie Williams - Broadway producer
Horace McMahon
Prosecutor
Richard Shannon
Dick Jackson
Willis Bouchey
Arthur Julian
Sid Melton
Sid Nash
George Jessel
George Jessel
Walter Catlett
Gov. Alfred E. 'Al' Smith
Jack Benny
Jack Benny
Jimmy Durante
Jimmy Durante
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Jimmy Walker was still alive during production and reportedly found the film 'amusing' despite its liberties with his scandal-plagued tenure.
Released during TV's rise, this was part of Paramount's desperate bid to keep movie stars relevant — Hope himself was already transitioning to television dominance.
US
