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Buckley is an unethical reporter who manipulates the news for his own benefit as much as he reports it. When he is in Paris to get a medal for being rescued from his alleged kidnappers, he finds that his boss, Stevens, at the Chicago Globe is going with his old gal Dolly. When Stevens learns that Dolly is staying with Buckley in Moscow, he fires Buckley. To get his job back, Buckley and Lefty stage a great news story about the shooting of the last Romanoff, but the plan backfires and they are now in line to be shot by the Commissar.
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Plot Summary
A fast-talking, ambitious newspaper reporter, out to make a name for himself, orchestrates a series of sensational hoaxes to boost his paper's circulation. His schemes involve faked kidnappings, staged disasters, and invented scandals, all designed to capture the public's attention and solidify his own rise. However, his elaborate lies soon begin to unravel, threatening his career and putting him in serious legal and personal jeopardy.
Critical Reception
The film received mixed to positive reviews upon its release, with many critics praising its brisk pacing and the energetic performance of its lead actor. Some found the plot to be somewhat predictable, but generally acknowledged its entertainment value as a fast-paced pre-Code comedy-drama. Audiences at the time were likely drawn to its sensationalist themes and comedic elements.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its witty dialogue and rapid-fire pacing.
Lee Tracy's charismatic and over-the-top performance is a highlight.
Some found the plot's reliance on sensationalism to be a bit thin.
Google audience: No specific data available for Google user reviews for this film.
Fun Fact
The film is notable for being an early example of a story centered around media sensationalism and the creation of 'fake news' for profit and attention, a theme that remains relevant today.
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