Upperworld

Upperworld from a story by Ben Hecht directed by Roy Del Ruth, 1934. Warner Brothers Archive DVD

Warren William plays Alexander Stream a railroad business man. His wife Mary Astor is a socially ambitious. Dickie Moore plays their son. While out on a boat working, Ginger Rogers cries out for help. She has wondered too far from shore. Warren’s crew rescues her and gives her a set of his clothing to wear. He gives her a ride home. At her apartment house she convinces him to come up so she can give him his cloths back. The chauffer and secretary wait for him at the curb. They wait for over an hour when the secretary comes up to get Warren. Up in the apartment they talk, sing and Ginger fixes eggs for their lunch. On the way back to Stream’s building they are stopped by a police officer played by Sidney Toler. The chauffer at Warren’s orders was speeding and going through stops. The police officer gets demoted and Warren talks to the police commissioner thanking him for taking care of the ticket.

At home that night Mary Astor is throwing a costume party. Warren coming home from work barricades himself in his room since his mother threw him and his railroad out of the ballroom. Warren is upset that the family is never alone. There is always a party or bridge club around. The next day is their anniversary and she has forgotten and already made plans. They make plans for the next night but he has already set up an intimate dinner party. While being driven home at a stop he is outside the Burlesque where Ginger Rogers works. He and the chauffer see the show. Ginger sings Shake Your Powder Puff and coats him with power and gives him her garter. After the show he convinces Ginger to have dinner with him. Shortly after her arrival she realizes it was not set up for her and he tells her that it is his anniversary. Back at home he has a conversation with the chauffer to make sure it was not discussed with anyone.
The next day Dickie goes off to a prestigious summer camp. Mary is going to a boating party for ten days or two weeks. He calls up Ginger to make plans. Ginger is involved with J. Caroll Naish. He wants her to get all she can get out of him. She doesn’t want anything to do with that. Warren takes Ginger out in an airplane and they have an emergency landing about 200 miles north of New York. Warren tells her that she makes him happy and he is a little bit crazy for her. They kiss.

Days later he buys a beautiful diamond bracelet. He tells the clerk “this is strictly confidential”. He calls up Ginger and states that he has a present for her birthday. Mary finds the bracelet and she says “is this for me” to which he states he was going to give it to her after dinner. Mary asks “And I spoiled your little surprise?” Under his breath Warren states “You certainly did.”

Naish tries again to convince Ginger to get money and gift from Warren. Naish wants the letters and pictures. Ginger refuses. She locks herself in her bedroom and tries to hide the letters. Naish breaks down the door. Ginger grabs a gun. Naish hits her across the face knocking her to the floor. He grabs the letters. As he leaves Warren is at the door. Naish tries to blackmail Warren. Warren hits him and he goes across the room. Naish pulls out his gun and threatens Warren. Ginger steps in front of Warren and gets shot. With Ginger in his arms he gets the gun from the table and kills Naish. He puts Ginger on the couch. He gets the guns and mixes up the bullets in the barrels. The police officer seeing the car outside the apartment in front of a fire plug sees the registration is to Warren. He waits outside and sees Warren get into his car and drive away.

Mary is back when he gets home. She was bored and fed up with the social circles and the same people. Warren wants to go abroad but Mary convinces him to wait until after his merger goes through. The janitor finds the bodies the next afternoon. The police office is determined to find Warren guilty. Warren talks with the apartment manager. Warren offers him $1000 to forget about him. The police officer comes in to question the janitor. The police officer sees a hand turn the light bulb. Warren hides. The police officer takes the light bulb to HQ to test for fingerprints. At the commissioners’ office the police officer tries to convince him to press charges. The commissioner breaks the light bulb. The police officer becomes furious and gets thrown into a cell. The police officer convinces the press to go to Warren and get fingerprints. At the Warren house there is a dinner party to celebrate the merger. The police and press come into the house. They ask for his fingerprints. “That puts me in rather an embarrassing position. (chuckle) I can’t very well refuse can I?” He is fingerprinted. As the expert examines the prints he goes back to his dinner party.

The participates toast to the great merger. The police and reporters come in the room and start taking pictures. “The headlines tomorrow will announce Alexander Stream has been charged with murder” he states. There is a montage of newspaper headlines. The last is the Stream case goes to the jury. In the courtroom anticipating the jury’s verdict it is very quiet and calm. Warren and lawyer talked about the case his chances and the self defense. In the judge’s office Mary and Dickie come to see him. They are leaving for Europe that night by boat. “I would have fought to the finish if it hadn’t been for that woman.” Mary stated tearfully “I was lonely. I was fond of her but she never took your place.” he stated. The verdict is being read “We the jury….find Alexander Stream” then a boat whistle. The chauffer and Dickie are at the boat rail. Warren and Mary are sitting on chairs on the boat. They kiss and make plans to go away and celebrate a 2nd honeymoon every year.

Warren William
Mary Astor
Ginger Rogers
Andy Devine
Dickie Moore
J. Carroll Naish
Sidney Toler