Prohibition is ending so bootlegger Bugs Ahearn decides to crack California society. He leases a house from down-on-her-luck Ruth and hires her as social secretary. He rescues Polly Cass from a horsefall and goes home to meet her dad who sells him some phony stock certificates. When he learns about this he sends to Chicago for mob help.
Acting
Robinson's surprisingly nimble physical comedy and wounded dignity.
Writing
Snappy pre-code dialogue that zings faster than gunfire.
Director
Roy Del Ruth
Edward G. Robinson
James Francis 'Bugs' / 'Jim' Ahearn
Mary Astor
Ruth Wayburn
Helen Vinson
Polly Cass
Russell Hopton
Albert J. 'Al' Daniels
Kenneth Thomson
John Stanley
Shirley Grey
Edith Merriam
Berton Churchill
Donald Hadley Cass
Don Dillaway
Gordon Cass
Louise Mackintosh
Mrs. Donald Hadley Cass
Lester Dorr
Investment Clerk (uncredited)
Bill Elliott
Guest at Polly's Party (uncredited)
Selmer Jackson
Radio Announcer (voice) (uncredited)
Jayne Shadduck
Society Girl (uncredited)
Dewey Robinson
Butch
Sidney Bracey
Butler
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released March 1933, literally weeks before Prohibition's repeal—audiences watched Bugs obsolete himself in real time.
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