lugonian
THE SECRET SIX (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1931), directed by George Hill, with story and dialogue by Frances Marion, became MGM's contribution to the gangster genre. Following numerous prior crime melodramas produced by other motion picture studios at the time, along with the current success of LITTLE CAESAR (First National, 1930), that launched Edward G. Robinson to overnight stardom, THE SECRET SIX is quite extraordinary as well as underrated. Feature billing goes to Wallace Beery, whose secondary presence under Chester Morris' leading performance from the Frances Marion scripted prison drama, THE BIG HOUSE (MGM, 1930), that has earned Beery an Academy Award nomination. For THE SECRET SIX, it's Beery's turn to take leadership in the cast, holding his own along with scene stealing support by future stars on the rise by Jean Harlow, Ralph Bellamy and the pre-mustache Clark Gable.Plot summary: Louis Scorpio (Wallace Beery), better known as "Slaughterhouse," employed at the Centro Stockyards and Packing Company at $35 a week, is introduced to a new profession, a life of crime in bootlegging by ringleader, Johnny Franks (Ralph Bellamy, in movie debut) and his assistant, Nick Mizoski (Paul Hurst), earning $150 a week a piece, while dining in a café where they are serviced by Johnny's moll, Peaches (Marjorie Rambeau). While invading the territory of rival mob boss, "Smiling Joe" Colimo (John Miljan), a gangland shooting ensues, killing Colimo's kid brother, Ivan (Oscar Rudolph) in the process. Later, as Colmino confronts Johnny to find out who was responsible for Ivan's death, Johnny places the blame on the absent Scorpio, waiting for further orders on Pier 14. Colimo and his mob drive by, gun down Scorpio, and leave him for dead. Slightly wounded, Scorpio, suspecting a double-cross, surprises Johnny upon his return, and puts him out of circulation. Now the new underworld leader rising to power, Scorpio acquires the services of Johnny's former aids, Richard Newton (Lewis Stone), a drunken criminal lawyer and personal mouthpiece; Metz (Murray Kinnell), a deaf mute wearing thick glasses posing as his lookout; and Anne Courtland (Jean Harlow), a café cashier working on high salary by Scorpio under orders to keep a couple of Herald reporters, Hank Rogers (John Mack Brown) and Carl Luckner (Clark Gable), from writing stories on Scorpio's gangland activities while investigating Johnny's unsolved murder. As Hank and Carl receive bribes from Scorpio, it turns out that one of the reporters is working undercover for a masked secret organization known as "The Secret Six," that's to put an end to Scorpio's criminal activities, maybe.Interesting that THE SECRET SIX is the movie's title, considering the organization in question, first mentioned 47 minutes into the start of the story, is hardly mentioned again after its initial introduction. Anyone unfamiliar with the movie itself would assume by its title that The Secret Six is the name of Scorpio's mob. However, Beery, the milk drinking thug sporting a mustache to give him a mean looking appearance, is the prominent figure throughout its 83 minutes, but, as mentioned before, its the fine support by platinum blonde Jean Harlow and seventh billed Clark Gable, together or separately, that gathers enough attention. Harlow performs is quite good here, compared to her weak performance in another gangster melodrama classic of THE PUBLIC ENEMY (Warner Brothers, 1931) starring James Cagney. Interestingly, Gable, who got his start playing thugs and/or villains on screen, is happily cast here as a wisecracking reporter whose gig on "Aunt Emma" becomes his running gag throughout. It was a role as a reporter that would win Gable an Academy Award as Best Actor for IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (Columbia, 1934). Being Gable's first of six films opposite Harlow, their scenes together are quite limited, with Harlow working more opposite Brown, the same Johnny Mack Brown who, in his final film for MGM, who would achieve newfound popularity shortly after-wards in matinée westerns through the 1950s.True to the tradition of these gangster stories of this period, THE SECRET SIX fails to disappoint with its gun-play, car chasing and police sirens racing down the city streets, as well as tough talk to go around. Other highlights include Hank's close calls of getting caught while strolling through Scorpio's luxurious apartment searching for evidence against the crime boss during the background orchestration playing to the song, "Sing" originally introduced from the Buster Keaton military comedy of DOUGHBOYS (1930); the execution style shooting inside a subway car of one of the characters; the courtroom scene with Anne (Harlow) testifying against Scorpio at the risk of her own life; and how way Peaches gets her vengeance on Johnny's killer; and the Beery-Stone on-screen chemistry at their best.Not shown on commercial television since the 1970s or earlier, the rediscovery of THE SECRET SIX surfaced again in the wake of cable television, notably on Turner Network Television (TNT) anywhere between (1988 and 1993), before becoming a prominent fixture on Turner Classic Movies after 1994. Though never distributed to video cassette, THE SECRET SIX has earned its place on the handful of classic movie titles on DVD display through Turner Home Entertainment. And that's no secret. (***)
wes-connors
During Prohibition, scruffy stockyards worker Wallace Beery (as Louis "Slaughterhouse" Scorpio) is offered a more lucrative job bootlegging with pal Ralph Bellamy (as Johnny Franks). After a shooting, mob boss Lewis Stone (as Richard Newton) covers for Mr. Beery, who has become his right hand man. Investigating reporters Clark Gable (as Carl Luckner) and John Mack Brown (as Hank Rogers) try to avoid bribes while getting close enough to blow the lid off the racket. "The Secret Six" assists in crime-solving...This film is too cluttered, though it helps that Mr. Stone doubles as a lawyer. The crowded cast tries, with Mr. Beery continuing to be an engaging "talkie" presence. Berry first appeared in the "Quigley Publications" annual poll of money-making stars in 1931 (at #6) and remained for most of the 1930s. While listed down in the credits, by the end you'll know Mr. Gable is a star on the rise. Platinum blonde Jean Harlow (as Anne Courtland) and floozy Marjorie Rambeau (as Peaches) provide feminine companionship.**** The Secret Six (4/18/31) George W. Hill ~ Wallace Beery, Clark Gable, Lewis Stone, Jean Harlow
bkoganbing
The Secret Six, produced by William Randolph Hearst's Cosmopolitan Pictures for MGM, has an interesting message about extralegal means to bring down systemic corruption. The title figures are six notable citizens who are all masked, representing all kinds of interests who come together when organized crime takes over a city. We never see The Secret Six, they only come in the last third of the film. But we do see how they operate.The films is the story of the rise and fall of Wallace Beery who becomes an Al Capone like figure, the real brains of the outfit however is the mob's lawyer Lewis Stone. With Stone pulling the strings and polluting the justice system, Beery rises to power in a typical gangland battle. When the regular law enforcement channels don't work, The Secret Six start working with the federal government to bring Beery down. Working with them are a pair of reporters Johnny Mack Brown and Clark Gable. A key witness in the events is Jean Harlow in her first MGM film.For those who are used to seeing Lewis Stone as the rock of integrity as Judge Hardy, Stone as a bottom feeding shyster lawyer will be quite the revelation. Maybe because he's cast against type he's so good, he just oozes sanctimony in front of a jury.One character I wish that we'd seen a bit more of is Paul Hurst who is Beery's friend and whom the gang elects mayor of a small town. Once doing that the gang moves on to a big city where they take down top gangster boss John Miljan. The situation parallels Al Capone's takeover of Hawthorne, Illinois. I wish Hurst hadn't just disappeared from the story after his election.The Secret Six was the first of six films that Clark Gable and Jean Harlow worked in. Next to Joan Crawford, Gable teamed with Harlow more than any other leading lady. Neither of them however are the stars here, they are billed way down in the cast list. Marjorie Rambeau also has a nice role as a good time girl who Beery uses as a doormat, but Rambeau has the last laugh on him.Although Warner Brothers was the gangster studio with their emphasis on working class films, The Secret Six could give any of the Warner products a run in quality.
