Crime comedy

Lady Killer (1933): Cast & Plot

Name: Lady Killer
Genre: Comedy, Crime
Released: 1933-12-01
Duration: 1 h 16 min
Cast: Harry C. Bradley, James Cagney, Mae Clarke, Douglass Dumbrille, Leslie Fenton

Lady Killer is a 1933 crime comedy directed by Roy Del Ruth, starring Harry C. Bradley as Man with Purse (uncredited), James Cagney and Mae Clarke. It runs 1 hour 16 minutes.

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Read the plot summary

Released: December 1, 1933
Runtime: 1h 16m (76 min)
Director: Roy Del Ruth
Genres: Comedy , Crime
Original language: English
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
After the credits: No No extra scene

The story

What Is Lady Killer About?

The premise of Lady Killer without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Warner Bros.’ blockbuster reunites Jimmie with the woman he once struck, chronicling their rise from anonymity to stardom in the hit film “Public Enemy.” The story follows an ex‑gangster who, after unexpectedly becoming a Hollywood star, struggles to break free from the pull of his former criminal associates.

Lady Killer Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags

los angeles california
manipulative female
birthday party
hollywood california
film director
jealousy
rooftop
staged car crash
opening credits role call
criminal rehabilitation
based on story
police chief

+38 more

airplane trip
panhandler
film actor
mistaken identity
film starlet
gag birthday present
downpour
show business drama
burglary ring
car crash
fan mail scam
mansion
pre code film
fixed card game
ends with elopement
stars home tour
rise to fame
police car chase
film costume
theater usher
gunfight
confidence gang
false burglary accusation
film critic
police detective
train travel
film extra
love triangle
failed bribe
casino owner
adverse publicity
returned purse
garlic
butler
chicago illinois
attempted murder
high speed car chase
police tip

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Cast & crew

Lady Killer Cast & Characters

Harry C. Bradley leads the cast as Man with Purse (uncredited), with James Cagney as Dan and Mae Clarke as Myra. Directed by Roy Del Ruth; 49 actors are credited in all.

Director Roy Del Ruth

Harry C. Bradley as Man with Purse (uncredited)
James Cagney as Dan
Mae Clarke as Myra
Douglass Dumbrille as Spade

Also Starring in Lady Killer

· 45 more

Leslie Fenton Duke
Russell Hopton Smiley
Raymond Hatton Pete
Marjorie Gateson Mrs. Marley
Margaret Lindsay Lois
Henry O'Neill Ramick
William B. Davidson Director Williams
Herman Bing Western Director (uncredited)
George Chandler George Thompson (uncredited)
Harry Strang Ambulance Attendant (uncredited)
Robert Homans Jailer (uncredited)
Dennis O'Keefe Casino Patron (uncredited)
Ralph Brooks Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Ralph Dunn Monkey Delivery Man (uncredited)
Al Hill Casino Bouncer (uncredited)
Olaf Hytten Mr. Marley's Butler (uncredited)

Show all 49 cast members

Brooks Benedict Charlie, the Fence (uncredited)
Spencer Charters Los Angeles Cop (uncredited)
Dewey Robinson Movie Patron (uncredited)
Harry Tenbrook Monkey Delivery Man (uncredited)
James Burke Panhandler (uncredited)
Sam McDaniel Porter (uncredited)
Cliff Saum Cliff, the Assistant Director (uncredited)
Clarence Wilson Lawyer (uncredited)
Edwin Maxwell Jeffries, the Theatre Manager (uncredited)
Willard Robertson Detective Conroy
Luis Alberni Director (uncredited)
Harrison Greene Tour Guide to Movie Star's Homes (uncredited)
Grace Hayle Fido's Owner (uncredited)
Lew Harvey Lew (uncredited)
Harry Holman J.B. Roland (uncredited)
Phil Tead Seymour, Sergeant of Theatre Ushers (uncredited)
Henry Otho Movie Guard Decked by Dan (uncredited)
Frank Sheridan O’Brien, Los Angeles Police Chief (uncredited)
Robert Elliott Brannigan
Ray Cooke Prop Man (uncredited)
Harry Beresford Dr. Crane (uncredited)
Tammany Young Slug, a Movie Patron (uncredited)
Lowden Adams Lois' Butler (uncredited)
Harold Waldridge Quigley's Letter Handler (uncredited)
Joseph Belmont Birthday Party Guest (uncredited)
Douglas Cosgrove Detective Jones
Pauline Wagner Glamour Girl at Coconut Grove (uncredited)
Peggy Graves Girl at Party (uncredited)
Jack Don Wong Quigley's Houseboy (uncredited)

From the director

More from Roy Del Ruth

More films directed by Roy Del Ruth, best-rated first: It Happened on Fifth Avenue, On Moonlight Bay, Why Must I Die and The Alligator People.

Full filmography

Plot

Lady Killer Plot Summary

What happens in Lady Killer from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Dan Quigley is fired from his job as a theater usher, accused of gambling and other troubles, and the story follows his sharp turn from troublemaker to unlikely schemer. He tracks down Myra Gale at her apartment to return the purse she dropped, and then slips into a poker game with her supposed “brother-in-law,” Spade Maddock, Duke, Smiley, and Pete. After losing all his money, he’s about to walk away when another person tries to return the purse, and Dan realizes he’s been duped. Rather than call the police, he threatens to expose the con artist unless they let him join their circle, claiming he has profitable ideas to share.

Full summary

The whole story of Lady Killer, scene by scene

Read the full summary