The Big Shot
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Edward Killy
Guy Kibbee
Cora Witherspoon
Dorothy Moore
Gordon Jones
Russell Hicks
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
To the delight of his social climbing wife Elizabeth, Dr. Bertram Simms, a small town veterinarian, receives word that he has inherited a fortune from his uncle Ferdinand and is expected to move into his uncle's city home. At Ferdinand's lavish estate, Bertram, Elizabeth and their daughter Peggy are counseled by Martin Blake, the family lawyer, who explains to Bertram that his former employer was involved in a myriad of complicated business concerns. Although baffled by their new home's elaborate security system, the Simms never suspect that Ferdinand had been the leader of a successful gang of racketeers whose criminal "moniker" was Mike Garnet. Anxious to take control of the gang and keep Bertram unaware of its activities, Blake requests power of attorney and overwhelms the timid veterinarian, who has been pressured by Elizabeth to act the part of executive, with an avalanche of business "responsibilities." Although Bertram relinquishes his job as "corporate" head to Blake, he refuses to grant him power of attorney. While Bertram secretly returns to his veterinary work, Blake orders his men to intimidate Murdock, the editor of the local newspaper, who has been publishing articles exposing the local corruption. After Murdock's newspaper is shut down by the gang, Chester "Chet" Scott, Peggy's reporter boyfriend, arrives in the city and learns about Murdock's troubles. Chet then tells Bertram about the racketeers and inspires him to buy Murdock's newspaper and lead a public crusade against the gang. To avoid reprisals, however, Bertram agrees to finance the crusade, which is to culminate in the printing of the gang leader's photograph, but does so anonymously. Backed by the police and Bertram's own security force, the crusade soon inhibits the gang's activities, which include extortion, gambling and political bribery. Desperate, Blake decides to use Elizabeth, who is planning a "debut" party for Peggy in the hope of finding a socially acceptable son-in-law, to obtain power of attorney. After planting his own thugs and molls at Peggy's party, Blake insinuates to Elizabeth that Bertram is ruining the business by refusing to give him power of attorney. Then a Murdock reporter, who has overheard one of the thugs identify Bertram as the gang's leader, takes Bertram's photograph and notifies Murdock to ready the "Rogues Gallery" issue. When Bertram proudly announces to his guests that he is the "chief" crusader, he is promptly kidnapped by Blake. While being held prisoner, Bertram tricks Blake into believing that he has been poisoned and alerts the police of his whereabouts through a coded message in a prescription. Blake and his men are apprehended by the police, but the newspaper containing Bertram's damning photograph is circulated throughout the city. After being rescued by the police from a mob of angry "crusaders," Betram takes his well-earned place as the head of the Simms's household.
Director
Edward Killy
Cast
Guy Kibbee
Cora Witherspoon
Dorothy Moore
Gordon Jones
Russell Hicks
Frank M. Thomas
Dudley Clements
George Irving
Maxine Jennings
Barbara Pepper
Tom Kennedy
John Kelly
Eddie Gribbon
Al Hill
Donald Kirke
Crew
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The working title of this film was Take the Heir. A Hollywood Reporter news item mentions Monte Vandergrift as a cast member, while Motion Picture Herald's "The Cutting Room" adds Paul Guilfoyle to the cast. Their participation in the final film has not been confirmed. RKO borrowed Guy Kibbee and Cora Witherspoon from M-G-M for this production. Although they bear the same title, this film is not a remake of RKO's 1931 film and has no connection with the 1942 Humphrey Bogart-Warner Bros.' production.
