West of Broadway ** (1931, John Gilbert, El Brendel, Lois Moran, Madge Evans, Ralph Bellamy, Frank Conroy) – Classic Movie Review 12,216

Director Harry Beaumont’s 1931 comedy romantic drama film West of Broadway stars John Gilbert as Chicago alcoholic millionaire Jerry Stevens, who has at least one drink too many and wakes up to a bride called Dot (Lois Moran) he hardly knows. After Dot refuses to give Jerry a divorce, he leaves for his Arizona ranch, only to find her there.

This vaporous MGM drama is very slight with a sluggish pace, hesitant handling and hardly any comic moments, and those are mostly from comedian El Brendel as Axel ‘Swede’ Axelson. Plus there is a rather uncomfortable performance by silent star Gilbert, still slightly struggling to make his mark in sound movies, though vocally he is fine, despite the rumours that his voice was `high and feminine’, apparently spread by feuding MGM studio boss Louis B Mayer.

However, Lois Moran is appealing and Madge Evans is effective as Jerry’s fiancée Anne who fell for another man and jilted Jerry when he was off to war, while Ralph Bellamy, Hedda Hopper and Gwen Lee help out in support.

West of Broadway is directed by Harry Beaumont, runs 72 minutes, is made and released by MGM, is written by Gene Markey and J K McGuinness, based on a story by Ralph Graves and Bess Meredyth, and is shot in black and white by Merritt B Gerstad.

The film was released on November 28, 1931, by MGM.

The cast are John Gilbert as Jerry Stevens, El Brendel as Axel ‘Swede’ Axelson, Lois Moran as Dot Stevens, Madge Evans as Anne, Ralph Bellamy as Mac, Frank Conroy as Judge Barham, Gwen Lee as Maizie, Hedda Hopper as Mrs Edith Trent, Willie Fung as Wing, John Miljan as Norm, Ruth Renick, and Richard Carlyle.

© Derek Winnert 2022 Classic Movie Review 12,216

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