| Madame Racketeer | |
|---|---|
![]()  | |
| Directed by | Harry Wagstaff Gribble Alexander Hall  | 
| Written by | Malcolm Stuart Boylan Harvey Gates  | 
| Produced by | Harry Wagstaff Gribble | 
| Starring | Alison Skipworth Richard Bennett George Raft  | 
| Cinematography | Henry Sharp | 
| Music by | John Leipold | 
Production company  | |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures | 
Release date  | July 23, 1932 | 
Running time  | 72 minutes | 
| Country | United States | 
| Language | English | 
Madame Racketeer is a 1932 American pre-Code comedy film featuring Alison Skipworth, Richard Bennett and George Raft. The movie was directed by Harry Wagstaff Gribble and Alexander Hall.[1] It was produced and distributed by Paramount Pictures.
Plot
Cast
- Alison Skipworth as Countess/Martha Hicks
 - Richard Bennett as Elmer Hicks
 - George Raft as Jack Houston
 - John Breeden as David Butterworth
 - Evalyn Knapp as Alice Hicks
 - Gertrude Messinger as Patsy Hicks
 - Robert McWade as James Butterworth
 - J. Farrell MacDonald as John Adams
 - Jessie Arnold as Frankie
 - Anna Chandler as Stella
 - Oscar Apfel as J. Harrington Hagneya
 - Arthur Hoyt as Shiffem
 - Irving Bacon as Gus, Desk Clerk
 - George Barbier as Warden George Waddell
 - Frank Beal as Appleby, Bank Director
 - Robert Homans as Chief of Police
 - Winter Hall as Minister
 - Ed Brady as Taxi Driver
 
Production
The film was based on an original screenplay based on the life of a real woman.[2] It was sold under the title The Countess of Auburn. This was changed to The Sporting Widow then Madame Racketeer.[3] In March 1932 Paramont announced Alison Skipworth would star.[4]
In April 1932 Irving CUmmings signed to direct.[5] George Raft was cast later that month.[6] Raft had recently signed a long-term contract with Paramount off the back of his strength of his work in Scarface but that film had not gone into wide release yet.[7]
Numerous retakes were done after the film was completed.[8]
The movie was one of 23 films put into receivership by Paramount in January 1933.[9]
Reception
The New York Times said "part of it is funny, part of it is amusing enough and some of it is a little on the sadward side."[10]
References
- ↑ Everett Aaker, The Films of George Raft, McFarland & Company, 2013 p 28
 - ↑ ON THE ROAD TO HOLLYWOOD Hall, Chapin. New York Times April 24, 1932: X3.
 - ↑ HOLLYWOOD IN REVIEW Hall, Chapin. New York Times June 5, 1932: X3.
 - ↑ MOTHER-LOVE THEME EXPLOITED: Noted Trio Slated for Roles in "Counless of Auburn Kingsley, Grace. Los Angeles Times March 1, 1932: A7.
 - ↑ FILMS BASED ON FALLON CAREER: Kingsley, Grace. Los Angeles Times April 18, 1932: 11
 - ↑ Raft's Suavity Utilized in Film Los Angeles Times April 17, 1932: B20.
 - ↑ Vagg, Stephen (February 9, 2020). "Why Stars Stop Being Stars: George Raft". Filmink.
 - ↑ HOLLYWOOD IN REVIEW Hall, Chapin. New York Times July 17, 1932: X3.
 - ↑ 23 FILM PLAYS PUT INTO RECEIVERSHIP: Paramount Bondholder's Plea Is Granted to Guard the Pictures Against Seizure. VALUED AT $10,000,000 Held by Subsidiary, Whose Notes Were Used to Secure Loans From Banks. New York Times January 31, 1933: 19.
 - ↑ Madame Racketeer. L.N. New York Times ]July 23, 1932: 6
 
External links
- Madame Racketeer at IMDb
 - Madame Racketeer at BFI
 - Madame Racketeer at Letterbox DVD
 
