The Devil Is Driving (1932 film)

The Devil is Driving is a 1932 pre-Code film directed by Benjamin Stoloff and starring Edmund Lowe. The film's title was typical of the sensationalistic titles of many pre-Code films.[1] It runs a mere 63 minutes, and like many Pre-Code movies deals openly with issues like sex and violence.[2] Lowe plays a chronic gambler who drifts into a life of crime.[3] The New York Times gave the film a mixed review upon its release.[4]

The Devil Is Driving
Theatrical release poster
Directed byBenjamin Stoloff
Produced byCharles R. Rogers
Screenplay byFrank Mitchell Dazey
P.J. Wolfson
Allen Rivkin
Louis Weitzenkorn
StarringEdmund Lowe
Wynne Gibson
James Gleason
Lois Wilson
Alan Dinehart
Dickie Moore
Music byKarl Hajos
John Leipold
CinematographyHenry Sharp
Production
company
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • December 9, 1932 (1932-12-09)
Running time
65 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Orville "Gabby" Denton is an alcoholic drifter with a chronic gambling problem. Despite his flaws he is beloved by his family. Gabby's brother-in-law Beef gets Gabby work as a mechanic at the Metropolitan Garage. The shop is a front to a stolen car ring. His brother-in-law Beef, who is otherwise honest, is aware of this. One day, Gabby is sent to pick up Silver, Jenkins's girl friend, whose car has broken down. Both Gabby and Silver start a relationship, after which Silver leaves Jenkins. During a getaway one of car thieves hits Gabby's nephew Buddy, who is in the street driving a toy car. The driver makes it to the garage, and Buddy receives treatment at a hospital. A witness points out the car to Gabby, and he understands it's the car that drove into the garage to be repainted. He investigates and discovers a piece of Buddy's little car in the wheel of the stolen car. When he confronts Beef, Beef gets drunk and confronts Jenkins and the head of the stolen car ring. They kill Beef, making his death look accidental. Photographer Bill Jones gives Gabby a photograph of Beef in the car before the accident, which shows Beef was already dead. Silver and Gabby confront Jenkins. The criminals drive away, but die in a car crash. With the hoodlums out of the way, Gabby marries Silver.

Cast

Reception

Mordaunt Hall of The New York Times praised the performances of the actors and the film's brisk pace, but found the story highly implausible.[4] Allmovie gave the film a positive review stating that the picture provided a few genuine surprises and moved quickly.[2]

Notes
  1. Doherty. pg 103
  2. Eder, Bruce. The Devil Is Driving (1932) AllMovie reprinted in The New York Times, accessed October 12, 2010.
  3. The Devil is Driving, tcm.com, accessed October 12, 2010.
  4. Hall, Mordaunt. The Devil Is Driving (1932) Edmund Lowe and Wynne Gibson in a Story Dealing With the Activities of Automobile Thieves, The New York Times, December 16, 1932, accessed October 13, 2010.

References
  • Doherty, Thomas Patrick. Pre-Code Hollywood: Sex, Immorality, and Insurrection in American Cinema 1930-1934. New York: Columbia University Press 1999. ISBN 0-231-11094-4
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