Gotta love the precode films! In New York City, Helen Twelvetrees is Flo, working at "Sadie's", and we flash back to her days in Panama. (they even say "swell" which was a big no-no in those days, for some reason. ) Bob Armstrong is the boyfriend "Babe", and "Sadie" is Maude Eburne, a character for sure! When Flo and another girl try to snitch dough off a drunk "McTeague", played by Charles Bickford she is forced to keep house for him to keep him from going to the cops. This one is one of the extra-exotic early talkies, since it supposedly takes place in Panama. Flo is bored, and wants to get out. Then things start to really happen, and she might have a chance to get out. Robert Armstrong looked pretty creepy, with his slicked hair and heavy greasy make-up. He had been in a couple silent films, so maybe he was still doing the make-up ? the other actors didn't have such weird, heavy make-up. A good twist towards the end! ... didn't see that one coming! Directed by Ralph Murphy and Tay Garnett, although only Garnett is credited at the beginning. Written by Garrett Fort... didn't end well for him; he offed himself at 45. He had started in the silents. This film was actually pretty good - they put more thought into this one than most of the ones from the time.
Review of Panama Flo
