Overview
A gripping tale of friendship and betrayal unfolds against the backdrop of organized crime.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- tragic
- earnest
- melodramatic
- classic movie night
- crime film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as an effective and compelling pre-Code crime melodrama powered by its stars and its conflict between friendship and civic duty.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jim Wade's prosecutorial duty and later gubernatorial authority directly collide with his devotion to Blackie Gallagher.
Blackie becomes a racketeer while Jim becomes a district attorney, yet their lifelong bond remains the story's emotional axis.
Blackie's gambling life and racketeering are balanced against his loyalty, affection, and decisive murder on Jim's behalf.
Eleanor marries Jim after leaving Blackie, but Blackie accepts the relationship while his bond with Jim continues to drive the plot.
Films like Manhattan Melodrama, and why
The Public Enemy
shared pre-code crime drama, doomed friendship, and conflict between personal loyalty and public duty
Little Caesar
shared classic crime melodrama, charismatic gangster protagonist, and tragic consequences of criminal ambition
I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang
shared moral conflict, capital punishment themes, and emotionally charged drama about law and conscience
The Roaring Twenties
shared friendship tested by opposing values and a romantic triangle within a classic Hollywood melodrama
Movie Details
- Director
- W.S. Van Dyke
- Release Date
- 1934-05-04
- Runtime
- 93 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (81)
Cast
- Clark Gable
- William Powell
- Myrna Loy
- Leo Carrillo
- Nat Pendleton
- George Sidney
- Isabel Jewell
- Muriel Evans
- Thomas E. Jackson
- Isabelle Keith
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Manhattan Melodrama about?
- A racketeer and a principled prosecutor remain devoted friends when one man's crime forces the other to choose between justice and loyalty.
- What is Manhattan Melodrama like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Manhattan Melodrama as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Manhattan Melodrama violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Manhattan Melodrama as moderate.
- What did critics think of Manhattan Melodrama?
- Critics broadly regard the film as an effective and compelling pre-Code crime melodrama powered by its stars and its conflict between friendship and civic duty.
- Which films are like Manhattan Melodrama?
- Films with a similar feel include The Public Enemy, Little Caesar, I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang, and The Roaring Twenties.
- How long is Manhattan Melodrama?
- Manhattan Melodrama runs 93 minutes.
- Where can I watch Manhattan Melodrama?
- In United States, Manhattan Melodrama is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
