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.Everett Aaker, The Films of George Raft, McFarland & Company, 2013 p 28 It was produced and distributed by Paramount Pictures.
Plot
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.ON THE ROAD TO HOLLYWOOD Hall, Chapin. New York Times April 24, 1932: X3. It was sold under the title The Countess of Auburn. This was changed to The Sporting Widow then Madame Racketeer.HOLLYWOOD IN REVIEW Hall, Chapin. New York Times June 5, 1932: X3. In March 1932 Paramount announced Alison Skipworth would star.MOTHER-LOVE THEME EXPLOITED: Noted Trio Slated for Roles in "Countess of Auburn Kingsley, Grace. Los Angeles Times March 1, 1932: A7.
In April 1932 Irving Cummings signed to direct.FILMS BASED ON FALLON CAREER: Kingsley, Grace. Los Angeles Times April 18, 1932: 11 George Raft was cast later that month.Raft's Suavity Utilized in Film Los Angeles Times April 17, 1932: B20. 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.
Numerous retakes were done after the film was completed.HOLLYWOOD IN REVIEW Hall, Chapin. New York Times July 17, 1932: X3.
The movie was one of 23 films put into receivership by Paramount in January 1933.23 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.
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."Madame Racketeer. L.N. New York Times ]July 23, 1932: 6
References
External links
Madame Racketeer at BFI Madame Racketeer at Letterbox DVD