Madame Racketeer Explained

Madame Racketeer
Director:	Harry Wagstaff Gribble Alexander Hall
Producer:	Harry Wagstaff Gribble
Starring:	Alison Skipworth Richard Bennett George Raft
Music:	John Leipold
Cinematography:	Henry Sharp
Studio:	Paramount Pictures
Distributor:	Paramount Pictures
Runtime:	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.

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]

External links

• • Madame Racketeer at BFI
• Madame Racketeer at Letterbox DVD

Notes and References

1. Everett Aaker, The Films of George Raft, McFarland & Company, 2013 p 28
2. ON THE ROAD TO HOLLYWOODHall, Chapin. New York Times April 24, 1932: X3.
3. HOLLYWOOD IN REVIEWHall, Chapin. New York Times June 5, 1932: X3.
4. MOTHER-LOVE THEME EXPLOITED: Noted Trio Slated for Roles in "Counless of AuburnKingsley, Grace. Los Angeles Times March 1, 1932: A7.
5. FILMS BASED ON FALLON CAREER: Kingsley, Grace. Los Angeles Times April 18, 1932: 11
6. Raft's Suavity Utilized in FilmLos Angeles Times April 17, 1932: B20.
7. Filmink. Why Stars Stop Being Stars: George Raft. Stephen. Vagg. February 9, 2020.
8. HOLLYWOOD IN REVIEWHall, Chapin. New York Times July 17, 1932: X3.
9. 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.
10. Madame Racketeer.L.N. New York Times