Riffraff

1935
Approved
1h 34m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Spencer Tracy and Jean Harlow in Riffraff (1935)

Fisherman Dutch marries cannery worker Hattie and quits his poorly paid job to concentrate on getting better working conditions as union leader. Unfortunately, the union members disagree wit... Read allFisherman Dutch marries cannery worker Hattie and quits his poorly paid job to concentrate on getting better working conditions as union leader. Unfortunately, the union members disagree with Dutch's ideas and kick him out. Without a job or union card to get another, he leaves Ha... Read allFisherman Dutch marries cannery worker Hattie and quits his poorly paid job to concentrate on getting better working conditions as union leader. Unfortunately, the union members disagree with Dutch's ideas and kick him out. Without a job or union card to get another, he leaves Hattie to look for work. Hattiee steals money to help him when she learns he is really down ... Read all

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IMDb RATING

6.2/10

1.1K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
One news item noted that Riffraff (1935) was using 42 contract players, the largest ever used in an M-G-M picture.

On the night of October 30, 1935, the 40 female extras set, many of them elderly or in frail health, were filmed in a simulated rain sequence that included the use of a sprinkler rig, fire hoses and wind machines. Multiple extras sustained bruises, temporary blindness, and loss of consciousness, with many suffering from pneumonia as a result. The crew was found to be understaffed and lacking the necessary supplies to properly warm and dry the extras between takes.

A charge of negligence was brought against MGM by the California State Industrial Welfare Committee by Mrs. Mabel Kinney on behalf of the 40 female extras who were drenched in the prison rainstorm sequence. It contended that women who lost work because of illness after that sequence should be compensated. Each of the extras received an extra $15 as an initial compensation.

Goofs
During the prison escape when Jean Harlow and friend hop into the getaway car, the seat backs are already wet before the two drenched escapees get into the auto. Obviously this was a second or third take of this scene.

Quotes
Dutch Muller: [showing his bride Hattie his place] It's genuine artificial roses. They never wear out!

Connections
Featured in Babes in Arms (1939)

Soundtracks
You Are My Lucky Star
(1935) (uncredited)
Music by Nacio Herb Brown
Lyrics by Arthur Freed
Played and sung by a chorus at the July 4 celebration party
Sung a cappella by Jean Harlow in prison

User reviews23

Review

Featured review

Depends

How much you like "Riffraff" depends on whether you're a fan of Jean Harlow or Spencer Tracy. Fans of Jean Harlow will find a lot to like. For fans of Tracy, not so much. Harlow is cute and sexy in her playful innocent way, while Spencer Tracy is strident and overbearing as the union organizer of a fishing fleet. His onscreen persona was not yet solidified and here he strikes a discordant note with his dogmatic portrayal of Dutch Muller, a man who is never wrong. He marries dock denizen Harlow in a wedding that misfires - due mainly to Tracy's intransigence.

It is not really a good story and at times is a chore to watch. A bright spot is Joseph Calleia, the boss and owner of the fishing fleet. He speaks with an Italian accent and is very funny as he mangles the English language. Good cast support from Mickey Rooney, Una Merkel and J.Farrell MacDonald among others. Outside of the good cast it is a potboiler with minimal interest. It plays like a B picture.

5/10 - Website no longer displays my star rating.