Smart Guy
Cast & Crew
Lambert Hillyer
Rick Vallin
Veda Ann Borg
Bobby Larson
Wanda Mckay
Jack Larue
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
When reformer Ben Carter is elected as the city of Johnstown's new district attorney, casino owner Johnny Reagan realizes that the survival of his gambling club is in jeopardy. Hoping to win special consideration, Johnny tries to befriend Carter. The district attorney, however, refuses to cooperate with Johnny and advises him to close his casino and leave town. Carter then threatens to imprison Johnny if he continues his illegal activities, but Johnny ignores the threat and continues to operate his casino as usual. One day, Johnny punches and accidentally kills Mr. Evans, a drunken casino patron who has lost a great deal of money. Carter charges Johnny with manslaughter, but later allows him to be released on bail. Soon after Johnny's attorney, Mr. Killbourne, advises Johnny to begin a publicity campaign to change the public's opinion of him, Matt Taylor, the best publicity man in town, is hired for the job. While Matt quickly arranges Johnny's participation in various acts of philanthropy, Killbourne hires Bobby, a young orphan, to pose as Johnny's newly adopted child. With help from Maggie, Johnny's housekeeper, Johnny begins his first attempt at fatherhood by showering the boy with gifts. Johnny finds happiness in his new domestic life, but the arrangement soon raises the jealous ire of Johnny's hard-boiled sweetheart Lee. Lee, who has begun a romantic association with Matt, enlists the press agent's help to start a campaign to discredit Johnny. When Maggie tells Johnny that she saw Lee and Matt together, Johnny fires Matt and orders Lee out of his house. Fearing that Lee, a witness to the accidental killing, will testify against Johnny, Killbourne advises his client to plead guilty and hope for probation. Rather than face certain imprisonment, Johnny decides to go into hiding at the Mountain View Inn resort hotel. Bobby, who has grown fond of Johnny, refuses to let him go alone, and hides in his trunk. Johnny eventually discovers Bobby, but rather than returning him home, allows the boy to accompany him. At the mountain resort, Johnny meets Jean Wickers, the hotel owner, and falls instantly in love with her. One day, Bobby calls Maggie to tell her where he and Johnny are, unaware that the police are listening in. The police arrive at the inn a short time later, and when Bobby runs to warn Johnny, he falls and suffers an injury. Johnny is captured by the police when he rushes to the boy's aide, but Bobby and Jean promise to wait for him until he has finished serving his time in prison.
Director
Lambert Hillyer
Cast
Rick Vallin
Veda Ann Borg
Bobby Larson
Wanda Mckay
Jack Larue
Mary Gordon
Paul Mcvey
Addison Richards
Roy Darmour
Jon Dawson
Crew
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The working title of this film was Big Brother. Actor Herbert Hayes was included in the cast by Hollywood Reporter production charts, but his appearance in the final film has not been confirmed.
