Directed by:
William A. WellmanScreenplay:
Maude FultonCinematography:
Barney McGillCast:
Grant Withers, Mary Astor, Regis Toomey, James Cagney, Fred Kohler, J. Farrell MacDonald, Joan Blondell, Walter Long, Lucille Ward, Lee Moran, Pat Hartigan (more)Plots(1)
Bill, a railroad engineer, has no intention of getting married and settling down. When Marie, a waitress in the depot cafe, reminds him that they are supposed to get married that weekend, he pretends to have something else to do. She is angry and breaks off their relationship, much to Bill's relief. When Bill is thrown out of his boardinghouse for drunkenness and non-payment of rent, Jack, his partner, brings him home. Bill thinks that Jack's wife Lily will hate him because he is drunk, but she welcomes him and makes him comfortable. For a time the three of them are happy together, but one day, while Jack goes out for ice cream, Bill and Lily acknowledge that they love one another. Bill wants to tell Jack right away, but Lily is afraid to hurt him. Bill moves out, without saying why, although Jack suspects the worst. That night at work, Jack and Bill argue over Lily, and in the ensuing fight, Jack is blinded. When the river floods, Bill decides to try to dam it by driving his train engine over the bridge. He knows it will mean his death, but he cannot bear to cause Jack any more grief. Jack learns of his plans and takes his place, believing that his blindness makes him a burden to Lily. Bill tries to stop him, but Jack drives the train onto the bridge and dies. Months later, Lily returns from her home town. Now that their love is possible, Bill happily returns to work. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
Grant Withers
USA
Best movies:
Tycoon (1947)
In Old Oklahoma (1943)
My Darling Clementine (1946)
Mary Astor
USA
Best movies:
Midnight (1939)
Little Women (1949)
The Prisoner of Zenda (1937)
Regis Toomey
USA
Best movies:
Producers' Showcase (1954) (series)
The Big Sleep (1946)
The People Against O'Hara (1951)
James Cagney
USA
Best movies:
The Roaring Twenties (1939)
One, Two, Three (1961)
White Heat (1949)
Fred Kohler
USA
Best movies:
Behind the Door (1919)
Underworld (1927)
The Plainsman (1936)
J. Farrell MacDonald
USA
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It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Sunrise (1927)
The Power and the Glory (1933)
Joan Blondell
USA
Best movies:
Grease (1978)
Bullets or Ballots (1936)
The Public Enemy (1931)
Walter Long
USA
Best movies:
I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932)
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Through the Ages (1916)
Union Pacific (1939)
Lucille Ward
USA
Best movies:
After the Thin Man (1936)
It Started with Eve (1941)
The Song of Bernadette (1943)
Lee Moran
USA
Best movies:
Footlight Parade (1933)
The Death Kiss (1932)
Pat Hartigan
USA
Best movies:
Union Pacific (1939)
The Whole Town's Talking (1935)
In Old Arizona (1928)
Pat Harmon
USA
Best movies:
Modern Times (1936)
King Kong (1933)
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931)
Kewpie Morgan
USA
Best movies:
Beggars of Life (1928)
After the Thin Man (1936)
Three Ages (1923)