Columbia Pictures
Not part of a collection.
Vanity Street
A New York policeman helps a hungry and penniless young woman start life anew by arranging to get her a job in "The Follies".
- Original title
- Vanity Street
- Language
- EN
- Country
- US
- Budget
- —
- Revenue
- —
CinemaSerf
Aug 7, 2025 · via TMDB
Charles Bickford was all too often stuck with supporting roles, but he’s got much more to do here in this gritty drama. He is police officer “Murphy” who encounters the vulnerable young “Jeanie” (Helen Chandler) who is homeless and helpless. She has some talent for the stage so he manages to get her a job on the “Follies” where she first meets it’s star “Fern” (Mayo Methot). Now that woman is having a clandestine affair with the duplicitous “French” (George Meeker) who is systematically bleeding her dry. When she threatens to walk off unless she is paid more, her producer calls her bluff and appoints the young “Jeanie”, but before she can start the job or, for that matter, before the now completely loved-up “Murphy” can walk her down the aisle, a murder is committed and though we, watching, know who did the deed, “Murphy” doesn’t and a clue at the scene points to his gal. Is she guilty? How can he prove not? This is a solid crime thriller with two strong female roles, as well those from Bickford an the on-form Meeker and there’s a steady stream of toxicity that doesn’t exactly show the world of theatre in a great light either. Director Nick Grinde keeps the pace strong, the melodrama at bay and makes better use of his stars than many others at this early stage of the talkies.
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
Charles Bickford
Brian Murphy
Helen Chandler
Jeanie Gregg
Mayo Methot
Fern Cavan
George Meeker
Val French
Arthur Hoyt
Albert Kerr
Raymond Hatton
Shorty
Ruth Channing
Rose Marie
Dolores Ray
Susan
Claudia Morgan
Lou
Kathrin Clare Ward
Mrs. Truitt - Mary Ann's Mother
May Beatty
Mrs. Dantry
Eddie Boland
Joe
Eddy Chandler
Taxi Driver (uncredited)
Clay Clement
Samuel D. Marcus - Producer (uncredited)
Sumner Getchell
Scottie (uncredited)
Lew Kelly
Justice of the Peace (uncredited)
J.M. Kerrigan
Dan - Irish Cop (uncredited)
Fuzzy Knight
Drunk (uncredited)
Walter McGrail
Detective Hanson (uncredited)
Lee Phelps
Detective (uncredited)
Hal Price
Bennie (uncredited)
Florence Roberts
Annie - Fern's Maid (uncredited)
Buddy Roosevelt
Stage Door Johnnie (uncredited)
Matty Roubert
Newspaper Vendor (uncredited)
Harry Semels
Italian Street Workman (uncredited)
Ruthelma Stevens
Show Girl (uncredited)
Nick Grindé
Director
Harry Cohn
Producer
Gertrude Purcell
Screenplay
La Libertad de la Jaula
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Cass
Oct 14, 1932
