What Is Penthouse About?
The premise of Penthouse in 282 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
High above the city’s bustling streets, a sleek penthouse becomes a silent stage for intrigue and longing. The setting is one of polished marble, art‑deco lighting, and sweeping skyline views that frame a world of wealth, power, and hidden agendas. Within these lofty walls, the atmosphere hums with a blend of sophisticated glamour and an undercurrent of danger, hinting at secrets that could shatter the fragile veneer of prosperity.
Gertie Waxted arrives in this elevated sphere carrying the weight of a past she cannot easily escape. Once tethered to the grim reach of a notorious racketeer, she now moves with a quiet resolve, seeking redemption through daring choices. Across the polished hallway, Jackson Durant, an ambitious lawyer whose career has taken a risky turn, finds himself drawn into a partnership that blurs the lines between legal strategy and personal risk. Their connection crackles with the tension of a romance that must navigate both societal expectations and the shadow of the criminal world that looms nearby.
The film’s tone balances sleek, urbane style with a persistent sense of suspense. Conversations echo off polished surfaces, and every glance can carry a double meaning. The penthouse, a symbol of success, also serves as a pressure cooker where alliances are tested and loyalties are questioned. The city below flickers with its own rhythm, reminding characters that the glittering heights are never far from more tumultuous streets.
As Gertie and Jackson walk the thin line between love and peril, their alliance promises to upend the careful order of their lives. The story teases a dance of wit and will, where each move may either protect or expose them to forces that would rather keep the skyline unchanged.
What Happens in Penthouse?
The complete story of Penthouse, from the first scene to the last, in 557 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 10 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Attorney Jack Durant, Warner Baxter, wins an acquittal for racketeer Tony Gazotti, Nat Pendleton, on a high-profile murder charge and waives his fee. His staid law firm views this as a stain on their reputation, and when he refuses to abandon this flashy new line of work, they part ways. His upper-class girlfriend Sue Leonard, Martha Sleeper, breaks off their engagement and later agrees to marry Tom Siddall, Phillips Holmes, but only if he gives up his mistress, Mimi Montagne, Mae Clarke. Although Tom offers Mimi a generous settlement, she grows furious.
Mimi quickly returns to her former lover, gangster Jim Crelliman, C. Henry Gordon. He has her arrange for Tom to meet her at a wild party. After they go out on the balcony to talk, a shot is heard; Mimi is dead, and Tom stands with a revolver in his hand. The pawnbroker Levi Levitoff, Carl Stockdale, tells the police that he sold Tom the gun the same day. Sue begs Jack to defend Tom. He agrees, though he receives an anonymous phone call telling him to stay out of it.
Jack asks Tony to dig up information. Tony introduces him to Gertie Waxted, Myrna Loy, Mimi’s friend, who says she arrived after the murder but may hold crucial clues. He invites her to spend the night in his suite, and she is surprised when he sleeps on the couch.
The next morning, Sue asks Jack to drop the case because she has received a threat. When Gertie appears in Jack’s robe, Sue hastily departs, even though Gertie tells her that Jack is still in love with her.
Jack questions Levitoff without success; Levitoff is murdered. Jack then goes to Gertie’s apartment to fetch clothes for her. Crelliman shows up and offers him $200,000 to take a long vacation; Jack refuses, and Crelliman threatens him. Jack returns and discovers that the apartment above Gertie’s belongs to Murtoch, one of Crelliman’s gunmen, George E. Stone. From Mimi’s wounds, he believes the killer shot from a higher position. An elevator operator warns Jim that Crelliman’s men are waiting in the lobby and guides him to the service elevator.
Jack spots Gertie in a club with Murtoch and jumps to conclusions, but she explains she needed to move Murtoch so Jack wouldn’t stumble across him while breaking in. Apologies follow, and Jack admits he is in love with Gertie. He asks her to marry him, but their moment is interrupted by a call from Tony, who has learned that Crelliman intends to have Murtoch killed. Jack, aided by Police Lieutenant Steve Stevens, Robert Emmett O’Connor, and a small squad, tricks Murtoch into confessing.
Gertie herself lures Crelliman onto the roof of the neighboring building. After Murtoch confesses, Jack sets a trap for the conspirators. Meanwhile, Gertie tells Crelliman that she frightened Jack into accepting the plan, but he doesn’t believe her and orders his men to take her “for a ride.” Gunfire erupts; Jack and the police rush in to find Crelliman and his henchmen dead. Tony saves Gertie but dies from a gunshot wound in the next room.
With the danger past, Gertie begins to pack, thinking Jack will rekindle his life with Sue. He reveals his intention to marry her and take her to Europe, insisting that she will do until someone more suitable comes along.
Penthouse Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
13 key events in the order they happen, from “Jack Durant defends Tony and leaves his law firm” to “Ending; engagement prospects”. 13 events name a place, across 11 locations.
- 1
Jack Durant defends Tony and leaves his law firm
Attorney Jack Durant defends racketeer Tony Gaziotti against a high-profile murder charge and waives his fee. His success draws disapproval from his staid law firm, which believes the case sullies their reputation. Jack refuses to abandon this exciting new line of work, and the firm parts ways with him, foreshadowing trouble in his career and personal life.
When:Early in the film Where:Law firm
- 2
Mimi Montagne's murder at the party balcony
At a raucous party, Mimi Montagne is found dead after a talk with Tom Siddall on a balcony. A revolver is found in Tom's hand and a pawnbroker claims he sold the gun the same day. The incident triggers Tom's arrest and Sue's plea to defend him.
When:Night Where:Party / balcony
- 3
Sue asks Jack to defend Tom; anonymous warning call
Despite the charges and threats, Sue urges Jack to defend Tom. An anonymous phone call warns Jack to stay out of it, raising immediate danger. Jack nevertheless agrees to take the case.
When:Evening Where:Phone call / office
- 4
Tony introduces Jack to Gertie Waxted
Tony introduces Jack to Mimi's friend Gertie Waxted, hoping she can provide information. Gertie suggests she spent the night in Jack's suite and is surprised when Jack sleeps on the couch rather than with her. The encounter plants seeds for later romantic tension.
When:The night after the party Where:Tony's circle / Jack's suite
- 5
Morning confrontation; Sue requests dismissal; Gertie reveals affection
In the morning, Sue asks Jack to drop the case after receiving a life-threatening call. Gertie appears in his robe, causing Sue to depart with mixed emotions while Gertie asserts that Jack is still in love with her. Jack apologizes, acknowledging his feelings for Gertie.
When:Morning Where:Jack's apartment
- 6
Pawnbroker questioned; Levitoff murdered
Jack questions the pawnbroker without success, trying to corner the motive. Shortly after, Levitoff is murdered, adding urgency to the investigation. The murder strengthens the idea that the killer is connected to Mimi's circle.
When:Later that day Where:Pawnbroker's shop
- 7
Crelliman pressures Jack; offers money to disappear
Crelliman unexpectedly appears and offers Jack $200,000 to take a long vacation, attempting to buy his silence. Jack refuses, and Crelliman threatens him with consequences. The confrontation intensifies the danger surrounding Jack.
When:Evening Where:Jack's apartment
- 8
Jack discovers layout hints; suspects Murtoch
Jack breaks into the apartment above Gertie's to inspect the crime scene and learns that Murtoch, one of Crelliman's gunmen, owns it. From the entry and exit wounds on Mimi's body, he deduces the killer was positioned higher up. The angle from Murtoch's window aligns with the murder scene.
When:Night Where:Murtoch's apartment
- 9
Elevator warning; Crelliman's men waiting
An elevator operator warns Jim Crelliman's men are waiting in the lobby, alerting Jack to imminent danger. Jim evades capture as he moves through the building toward a safer route. The warning foreshadows the climactic confrontation.
When:Night Where:Lobby / building
- 10
Gertie in club with Murtoch; romantic tension
Jack spots Gertie in a club with Murtoch, jumping to conclusions about her loyalty. After she clarifies the situation, Jack apologizes and confesses he has fallen in love with her. He asks Gertie to marry him, signaling a shift toward personal commitments amid danger.
When:Evening Where:Club
Show the other 3 events of Penthouse Hide the last 3 events
- 11
Murtoch confession and framing plan
With Tony's help, Jack traps Murtoch into confessing; they plan to frame Murtoch for Crelliman's impending murder. Gertie volunteers to lure Crelliman out onto a roof as part of the ruse. The plan tightens the net around the gang.
When:Night Where:Rooftop / police trap
- 12
Final shootout; Crelliman's men killed; Tony dies
Gertie reveals that she frightened Jack into accepting Crelliman's offer, but Crelliman doesn't believe her and orders her to be taken away. Gunfire erupts; Crelliman and his henchmen are slain. Tony dies in the adjacent room after saving Gertie.
When:Climax / night Where:Crelliman's hideout
- 13
Ending; engagement prospects
In the aftermath, Gertie packs to leave, assuming Jack will reunite with Sue. Jack declares his desire to marry Gertie and take her to Europe, but she says she is no lady, and he answers she will do until someone better comes along. The ending leaves their relationship in a tentative but committed state.
When:Resolution Where:Jack's apartment
Who Are the Main Characters in Penthouse?
10 characters, among them Jack Durant (Warner Baxter), Mimi Montagne (Mae Clarke) and Gertie Waxted (Myrna Loy): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- JD
Jack Durant (Warner Baxter)
Played by Warner Baxter
A sharp, ambitious attorney who defends a racketeer and pushes for truth despite pressure from his firm and society. He becomes entangled with Gertie and risks his career and life to uncover the real murderer.
- ⚖️ Law
- 🕵️ Crime
- 💼 Justice
-
Mimi Montagne (Mae Clarke)
Played by Mae Clarke
A glamorous, volatile former lover whose actions drive jealousy and murder within the interlocking relationships of gangsters and lovers. Her return to Crelliman's orbit escalates the conflict and tragedy.
- 🎀 Femme Fatale
- 💔 Jealous Lover
- 🕶️ Glamour
-
Gertie Waxted (Myrna Loy)
Played by Myrna Loy
A witty, stylish confidante who becomes Jack's ally. She maneuvers through social games and danger, luring Crelliman's men and helping trap Murtoch while risking her own safety.
- 💡 Resourceful
- 🎭 Charm
-
Jim Crelliman (C. Henry Gordon)
Played by C. Henry Gordon
A ruthless gang boss who uses money and threats to control others. He presses Jack with murder-for-hire and pursues power, leading to a deadly confrontation.
- 🕴️ Boss
- 💰 Power
- 🔥 Gangster
-
Tony Gazotti (Nat Pendleton)
Played by Nat Pendleton
A loyal, hot-headed racketeer who becomes a key ally to Jack and Gertie. He aids in tracking Murtoch and ultimately dies heroically from a gunshot while protecting others.
- 🧭 Loyal Ally
- 💥 Risk-Taker
- SL
Sue Leonard (Martha Sleeper)
Played by Martha Sleeper
Jack's socialite former flame and Sue's fiancé's rival; torn between status and love, she makes difficult choices as the case unfolds.
- 👩 Socialite
- 💔 Love Interest
-
Murtoch (George E. Stone)
Played by George E. Stone
Crelliman's gunman who becomes central to the investigation. He cracks under pressure and confesses after a carefully designed trap.
- 🗡️ Enforcer
- 🕵️ Informant
- LS
Lieutenant Steve Stevens (Robert Emmett O'Connor)
Played by Robert Emmett O'Connor
The police lieutenant who collaborates with Jack to corner the killer and close the case.
- 👮 Detective
- L(
Levitoff (Carl Stockdale)
Played by Carl Stockdale
A pawnbroker who provides critical information about the gun and the murder weapon, risking retribution in the process.
- 🕵️ Informant
- TS
Tom Siddall (Phillips Holmes)
Played by Phillips Holmes
Sue's fiancé, torn between social expectations and personal loyalties, who becomes entangled as Mimi exerts her influence.
- 🕴️ Social Standing
- 💔 Love Interest
Where and When Is Penthouse Set?
Penthouse is set in Pinnacle Club, Gertie's Apartment, Crelliman's Place, Murtoch's Building… (1930s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1930s
The events unfold in the early 1930s, a time of urban nightlife, rackets, and sensational court cases. The story dwells in upscale venues and high-society circles where money and influence attempt to blunt the pursuit of justice. The era’s mood blends glamour with underlying danger, shaping the film's tensions.
Where
Pinnacle Club, Gertie's Apartment, Crelliman's Place, Murtoch's Building, Rooftop, Club
Set against the backdrop of an opulent urban landscape, the film moves through glamorous clubs and sleek apartments. Key locations include the Pinnacle Club, Gertie's apartment, and Crelliman's Place, with Murtoch's building and a rooftop confrontation shaping the climax. The stylish but perilous settings highlight the era's mix of wealth, influence, and crime.
- 🌆 Urban setting
- 🏢 Exclusive venues
- 🎩 Glamour and danger
What Are the Themes of Penthouse?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Justice, Love and Deception.
-
01
Justice
The defense of a racketeer thrusts Jack Durant into a clash between legal skill and moral ambiguity. The plot probes how law, fame, and public perception can distort truth, while the courtroom and investigations push toward a hard-won form of accountability. Loyalty to friends and pursuit of the real killer drive the narrative as the system strains under pressure.
-
02
Love
Romantic entanglements complicate loyalty and ambition. Jack's growing love for Gertie clashes with Sue's social world and Mimi's manipulations, creating tension that affects decisions and risk-taking. The romance becomes a counterpoint to crime, offering a personal stake in the outcomes of the case.
-
03
Deception
Misdirection, misreading motives, and strategic traps propel the investigation. The heroes use careful plotting to corner Murtoch and expose Crelliman, while appearances at the party and in private rooms hide dangerous truths. The narrative remains focused on how appearances can conceal deadly intent.
What Kind of Film Is Penthouse?
Tense in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A fast-paced and gritty crime thriller that maintains a constant state of suspense through shifting allegiances and murderous plots, set against a cynical but passionate romantic entanglement.
- suspenseful
- gritty
- tense
- dangerous
- romantic
- anxious
- crime investigation
- legal drama
- corruption
- framed for murder
Content notes: murder, gun violence, threats, criminal underworld.
Quiz
How well do you remember Penthouse? Test yourself on the story.
