Wharf Angel
Cast & Crew
William Cameron Menzies
Victor Mclaglen
Dorothy Dell
Preston Foster
Alison Skipworth
David Landau
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
On the wharfs of San Francisco, saloon girl Toy, also known as Mary, lives over Mother Bright's bar. When Como Murphy, a fugitive from the law, hides in her room, she falls in love with him. He explains that after he spoke out about the rights of man to a crowd, a riot ensued, during which a policeman was killed. Como took the gun from the killer, but is thought to be guilty of the crime himself. Como, who reciprocates Mary's love, spends the night with her, but leaves to keep her out of danger. He joins the crew of a ship sailing to China after he is befriended by Turk, a big lumbering sailor who is also in love with Mary. Each man is unaware that they love the same woman. While on board the ship, Como becomes the hero of the men because he stands up for them, and entreats them to treat one another as brothers rather than as competitors. After some rivalry, Como and Turk become fast friends. In the meantime, Mary attempts to hold down a regular job at a coffee shop but is fired when they find out she was "that kind of girl," and is unable to find other work. Como returns to San Francisco and is reunited with Mary, who implores him to escape to Mexico with her. Turk, meanwhile, prevents fellow seaman Sadik from turning Como in for the reward money, promising to kill any man who does. Turk also proposes marriage to Mary. Desperate to escape with Como, she agrees to the marriage on condition he provide her with some money, and he does so, believing she intends to purchase a wedding dress. When Turk finds out that Mary actually plans to run away with Como, he becomes enraged and turns Como in to the police. After Como is imprisoned, Turk regrets his betrayal and uses the reward money to hire a lawyer,who arranges for Como's release. Mary visits Como in jail and tells him that both he and Turk are now free.
Cast
Victor Mclaglen
Dorothy Dell
Preston Foster
Alison Skipworth
David Landau
John Rogers
Mischa Auer
James Burke
Alfred Delcambre
Frank Sheridan
Don Wilson
John Northpole
Max Wagner
Frank Rice
Russell Powell
Joseph Sauers
A. S. Byron
Marie Green
Charles Brinley
Al Hill
Fredrik Vogeding
Ivan Linow
Jack Cheatham
Charles Mcavoy
Jill Dennett
Alice Lake
Miami Alvarez
Florence Dudley
Shirley Louie
Jennie Lee
Florence Ho
Lois Izumida
Tiffany Thayer
Crew
Stephen Morehouse Avery
Emanuel Cohen
Hans Dreier
John Goodman
Samuel Hoffenstein
Albert Lewis
William Mellor
Victor Milner
Talmadge Morrison
Frank Partos
Ralph Rainger
Leo Robin
Guy Roe
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Frederick Schlick's play was also known as Como Murphy. The Man Who Broke His Heart was the film's working title. A news item in Hollywood Reporter indicates that Miriam Hopkins was slated to appear in the starring role. In the pressbook plot synopsis, "Turk" clearly kills himself because of his betrayal of "Como"; however, at the end of the film it is unclear whether he has committed suicide, or simply absolved himself of his guilt. According to the copyright records, author Tiffany Thayer visited the set and appeared as an extra in the film.
