Con-man Chandler and his partner Frank decide to start a clairvoyant act. Chandler falls for Sylvia, one of their marks, but their relationship is challenged when his deception impacts others' lives and Sylvia urges him to reform.
Acting
Warren William's oily charm—he invented the cinematic con man.
Writing
Snappy Pre-Code dialogue that'd make the Hays Code blush.
Costume
Sylvia's sleek gowns vs. Chandler's cheap mystic robes.
Director
Roy Del Ruth
Warren William
Chandra
Constance Cummings
Sylvia
Allen Jenkins
Frank
Natalie Moorhead
Mrs. Austin
Mayo Methot
Jenny
Clarence Muse
Sam
Earle Foxe
Don
Irving Bacon
Reporter (uncredited)
Clara Blandick
Auntie (uncredited)
George Chandler
Reporter (uncredited)
Robert Greig
Swami (uncredited)
Fred 'Snowflake' Toones
Black Man - Shill at Hair Tonic (uncredited)
Eddy Waller
Chauffeur (uncredited)
Kathrin Clare Ward
New York City Tenement Resident (uncredited)
Symona Boniface
Gossip in Phone Montage (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Pre-Code Hollywood (1930-1934) allowed con men to prosper unpunished and women to have actual agency—this was made mere months before censorship gutted such morally ambiguous endings.
Clarence Muse's role as Sam is rare dignified work for a Black actor in 1933, though he's still sidelined from the main con—Hollywood's limits showing even in 'edgy' films.
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