Gentlemen of the Press

1929
Passed
1h 15m

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Walter Huston in Gentlemen of the Press (1929)

A driven newspaperman misses out on the joys and sorrows of ordinary life.A driven newspaperman misses out on the joys and sorrows of ordinary life.A driven newspaperman misses out on the joys and sorrows of ordinary life.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.2/10

124

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 wins

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Storyline

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Trivia
The copyright for this film has expired and it is now in public domain.

Quotes
Myra May: Are you the editor?
Wickland Snell: I? No?
Myra May: Then get him. Get him down here! You'll have to get all the editors down here.
Wickland Snell: Yeah? Must be important.
Myra May: You think I'd be here at this time of morning, if it weren't? I'm suing this dirty paper for fifty thousand dollars. Libel. And I'll get it too. My attorney will be here at eight o'clock. You can't print lies about me.
Wickland Snell: You are suing you say?
Myra May: I'm going to. If you think you can get away with any...
Wickland Snell: Now just a minute. Now tell me all about it. Maybe I can help you.
Myra May: You printed a vicious lie about me; named me as correspondent in that Cummings' divorce suit. And I'm suing for a hundred thousand dollars.
Wickland Snell: Oh. Oh, then you're, you're the Miss er...
Myra May: Myra May.
Wickland Snell: But Mrs. Cummings did name you didn't she?
Myra May: Mrs. Cummings is a liar.
Wickland Snell: Yeah, sure. Lotta women are.
Myra May: Mr. Cummings was merely a dear, dear friend of mine.
Wickland Snell: Was? Oh then, then Mr Cummings is...
Myra May: Away. In South America now.
Wickland Snell: South America.
Myra May: And unless you retract this story, I'm suing for a hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
Wickland Snell: I think you're perfectly right. Won't you sit down?
Wickland Snell: Er, seeing you makes the whole thing entirely different. Now we're not going to have our paper printing lies about ladies like you, Miss May. I'll take charge of this case myself. Now, if you'll just give me the details.
Myra May: But you say you're not the editor.
Wickland Snell: No, but he'll do anything I tell him. Of course, I'll want to get in touch with you in case anything happens. Er, you have an occupation, I suppose?
Myra May: Oh, yes. Well, I'm here from California doing secretarial work. Just temporarily, of course. I'm not an ordinary secretary.
Wickland Snell: No, I can see that.
Myra May: Then you really will help me?
Wickland Snell: Why, of course I'll help you. I'll help your lawyers too. We'll all work together. Now, if you'll just let me know where I can reach you.
Myra May: Of course. Trafalgar 5428.
Wickland Snell: Trafalgar 5428. Now, I think we understand the situation.
Myra May: Perfectly.

Alternate versions
Released in both sound and silent versions, for theaters not yet equipped for sound.

User reviews10

Review

Featured review

6/10

I was expecting more from this film

I'm a fan of the early talkies, so I know the limitations of the medium of film in 1929. Thus static cameras, long-winded dialogue, and some wild gesturing on the actors' part don't bother me when it comes to films of this era. Yet, I was expecting more from this film considering the other reviews and the high rating. The performances are good, that's not the problem. The problem is that this film can't figure out what it's really about. The overriding theme is how much Walter Huston's character has lost personally in order to achieve professionally as a newspaperman. The rest of the film is a bit of a muddle. The romance between Huston and Francis never really plays out, the scandal surrounding one of his employers never really plays out, and the relationship between he and his daughter never quite plays out, though that part of the film is the most complete in plot. The most annoying part of this film is Charles Ruggles' character who plays Huston's long time friend and associate. A little bit of his drunk routine is funny, but the joke tries to ride out the entire film and wears out its welcome.

The only reason to watch this film is Kay Francis and Walter Huston. They are terrific as always, and about ten years ahead of their time in acting technique. Watch it for that reason, but pretty much forget trying to find a coherent plot line. You'll just hit a bunch of dead ends.