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Roadhouse Nights is a 1930 American Pre-Code gangster film. A number of sources including Sally Cline in her book Dashiell Hammett Man of Mystery claim it is based on the classic novel Red Harvest written by Dashiell Hammett (author of The Maltese Falcon, The Thin Man, and The Glass Key). However the credits of the film itself say only "An Original Screenplay by Ben Hecht." Hammett receives no mention at all (and the plots are not similar).
The movie, an unusual amalgam of musical comedy and gangster melodrama, was directed by Hobart Henley, stars Helen Morgan, Charles Ruggles, and Fred Kohler, and features a rare screen musical comedy performance by Jimmy Durante, in his screen debut, with his vaudeville partners Lou Clayton and Eddie Jackson ("Clayton, Jackson, and Durante"). Helen Morgan also sings It Can't Go On Like This.
Original Release
02/23/1930
US Release
02/23/1930
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Helen Morgan | Lola Fagan |
Charles Ruggles | Willie Bindbugel |
Fred Kohler | Sam Horner |
Jimmy Durante | Daffy (as Durante) / Daffy |
Lou Clayton | Joe |
Eddie Jackson | Moe |
Joe King | John Hanson |
Fuller Mellish Jr. | Hogan |
Leo Donnelly | City Editor Keeley |
Tammany Young | Jerry |
Directors
Writers
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Helen Morgan | Lola Fagan |
Charles Ruggles | Willie Bindbugel |
Fred Kohler | Sam Horner |
Jimmy Durante | Daffy (as Durante) / Daffy |
Lou Clayton | Joe |
Eddie Jackson | Moe |
Joe King | John Hanson |
Fuller Mellish Jr. | Hogan |
Leo Donnelly | City Editor Keeley |
Tammany Young | Jerry |
The Durante Orchestra | Orchestra |
Harry C. Bradley | Hotel Desk Clerk |
Hal K. Dawson | Newspaperman |
Jimmy Granato | Clarinet / Saxophone Player |
Irving Sherman | Banjo / Guitar Player |
Louis Clayton | Joe |
Producers
Name | Role |
---|
Walter Wanger | Producer |