Career
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Leigh Jason
Anne Shirley
Edward Ellis
Samuel S. Hinds
Janet Beecher
Leon Errol
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Merchant Stephen Cruthers is a pillar of strength in his small Iowa town. He empathizes with his son Ray when the boy is torn between pursuing a medical career or marrying Sylvia, banker Clem Bartholomew's daughter. Stephen's good deeds extend to the reformation of the town drunk, Mudcat, whose new gift wrapping gadget is patented by the kindly merchant. Disappointed in love years earlier when Clem married the woman he loved, Stephen nevertheless is called upon by the local residents to come to Clem's aid when his bank fails during the Depression. After Stephen rejects a plea by Sylvia to save the bank by making a large deposit, the locals learn of his apparently selfish refusal to act and form a lynch mob outside his house. Stephen addresses the crowd and disarms them by giving a speech on rights and ethics and by explaining that his reason for not helping is that he knows the bank will fail regardless of his aid because of poor management. At Christmas time, Stephen has a change of heart and decides to save Clem's bank on the condition that he be allowed to take control of its operations and rescue it from mismanagement. The reformed Mudcat is made vice president of the bank and Clem and Stephen make amends. Later, when Sylvia tells Ray that she plans to marry Rex, Stephen comforts his son by explaining how important it is to keep fond memories of lost loves, and at the same time, be able to appreciate present and future loves.
Director
Leigh Jason
Cast
Anne Shirley
Edward Ellis
Samuel S. Hinds
Janet Beecher
Leon Errol
Alice Eden
John Archer
Raymond Hatton
Maurice Murphy
Harrison Greene
Charles Drake
Hobart Cavanaugh
Crew
Russell Bennett
Charles Burke
John L. Cass
Carroll Clark
Robert De Grasse
George Diskant
Edward Donahue
Bert Granet
Millard Kaufman
Lee Marcus
Argyle Nelson
Van Nest Polglase
Frank Redman
Renié
Arthur E. Roberts
Darrell Silvera
Robert Sisk
Douglas Travers
Vernon L. Walker
Fletcher Wiley
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Although onscreen credits note that actors John Archer and Alice Eden were selected in Jesse L. Lasky's highly publicized "Gateway to Hollywood" radio talent search, and that they made their debuts in this film, Archer, using the name Ralph Bowman, appeared in two previous films, Spring Madness and Overland Stage Raiders (see below). Following her appearance in Career, Eden were cast in RKO's Three Sons and her name was changed to Virginia Vale. Hollywood Reporter pre-release news items note that actor Charles Drake (the stage name of Charles Ruppert) was the runner-up in the "Gateway to Hollywood" contest and also made his screen debut in the film. According to Hollywood Reporter news items, Frank Redman replaced Russell Metty as cameraman and Robert De Grasse was assigned to take over from Redman for the last few days of shooting when Redman went to work on RKO's Bad Lands. Assistant cameraman George Diskant departed with Redman, and was replaced by Charles Burke. In addition, Argyle Nelson took over from Edward Donohue as assistant director. Hollywood Reporter pre-release news items also note that exterior shots were filmed at the studio's ranch. While some modern sources claim that Career is a remake of the 1938 RKO film A Man to Remember (see below), the two films are based on different sources.
