The Secret Six (1931)
Release Date: April 18, 1931
Directed by: George W. Hill
Studio: MGM
Costarring:
Wallace Beery
Jean Harlow
Johnny Mack Brown
Lewis Stone
Marjorie Rambeau
Available on DVD through The Warner Brothers Archive Collection
DearMrGable.com’s Movie of the Month, November 2010
Nutshell Review, February 2014
Gable (billed seventh and not appearing until half an hour into the film) is Carl, a reporter for a New York newspaper, always out sniffing for a story. He competes with Hank (Brown), who works for a rival newspaper, for stories and the affection of Ann (Harlow). Ann works at a steakhouse owned by crooked Louie (Beery), who rises very fast to the top of a crime gang. Carl tries to play both sides of the coin and befriend Louie and his cronies while also giving tips to the police and “the secret six”, masked men bent on capturing the gang.
Reviews
New Movie magazine, July 1931:
Gangster pictures are a long way from dead; in fact, they are not even ailing, if this may be taken as a sample of what to expect. For concentrated excitement, “The Secret Six” breaks some sort of a record; it does not matter just what. Wallace Beery, as a gangster fresh from a slaughterhouse, his boots still smeared with blood, is tremendous, terrible, frightful, anything you may wish to call him. And Lewis Stone, especially in the first part of the picture, as a drunken, soiled gang leader, well, you never saw Stone like that. Then there are others just as good. You must see “The Secret Six.” It will keep you awake.
Silver Screen magazine, August 1931:
An exciting gangster picture, which misses being great because it’s a little too brutal and melodramatic. The secret six is a tribunal banded together to destroy gangsters. Leagued against them are Wallace Beery and his vicious gang. The cast is great, with Clark Gable turning in a performance you’ll never forget.
Modern Screen magazine, September 1931:
A new kind of gangster picture with Wallace Beery as the thick-witted muscle man and Lewis Stone as the brains behind the gang. Excellent–but better send the children to the church social.
Quote-able Gable
“Oh yeah? Well buck up, slaughterhouse. That’s a tough break. Johnny was a great little kid. And I know just how much he meant to you.” first lines
“I’m going to make a big story out of this!”
“Hi baby. How’s business?”
“Say, listen, if you’re going to fall for anybody, make it me. I’m the dependable guy!”
“Baby, you’ve got a pair of the most beautiful blue eyes I’ve ever seen. You know, I’d sure like to take you around and introduce you to my aunt Emma.”
“This is one scoop you’ve beat me to!”
“I guess I go for a ride, huh?”
“Oh yeah? Well all I want is a lot of sleep.”
“Boy, that’s hot news! Shot through the bedroom keyhole! Say, have the cops hold the guy in pajamas! Sure I’ll step on it! ” last lines
Behind the Scenes
After seeing Gable’s potential in the film, producer Irving Thalberg instructed the screenwriters to add additional scenes to bolster his part. He offered Gable an MGM contract after completion of this film.
Gable’s first film with Jean Harlow. She was loaned to MGM from Warner Brothers for the role.