Barbary Coast (1935)

TOMATOMETER

100%

——

Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.

AUDIENCE SCORE

45%

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Movie Info

It's the wild and woolly waterfront world of San Francisco in the late 1800s in this rambling tale of an outrageous nightclub owner (Edward G. Robinson) and his efforts at wooing lovely Mary Rutledge (Miriam Hopkins), a lovely Eastern lass left to her own devices in the rowdy port city. The innocent babe loses that innocence when she becomes a kept lady, running the roulette wheel in Robinson's nightclub. The plot matures when Mary falls in love with an honest and upright gold miner. When the lovers are discovered during a fateful tryst, they flee the evil Robinson, hoping to escape as stowaways aboard a departing ship. Robinson is magnificent in this ruffian role. This action-filled adventure is suitable for the whole family.

Cast

Edward G. Robinson
as Luis Chamalis
Miriam Hopkins
as Mary 'Swan' Rutledge
Joel McCrea
as Jim Carmichael
Walter Brennan
as Old Atrocity
Frank Craven
as Col. Marcus Aurelius Cobb
Brian Donlevy
as Knuckles
Clyde Cook
as Oakie
Harry Carey
as Slocum
Matt McHugh
as Broncho
Otto Hoffman
as Peebles
Rollo Lloyd
as Wigham
J.M. Kerrigan
as Judge Harper
Donald Meek
as McTavish
Roger Gray
as Sandy Ferguson
Wong Chung
as Ah Wing
Russ Powell
as Sheriff
Fredrik Vogeding
as Ship's Captain
Dave Wengren
as 1st Mate
Anders Van Haden
as McCready, 2nd Mate
Jules Cowles
as Pilot
Cyril Thornton
as Steward
Clarence Wertz
as Drunk
Harry Semels
as Lookout
Bert Sprotte
as Passenger
Claude Payton
as Passenger
Frank Benson
as Passenger
Russell Powell
as Sheriff
Bob Stevenson
as Passenger
David Niven
as Sailor Thrown Out of Saloon
Constantine Romanoff
as Bouncer
Victor Potel
as Wilkins
Patricia Farley
as Dance Hall Girl
Hank Mann
as Waiter
Doc Wilson
as Waiter
Harry Holman
as Mayor
Anders VanHaden
as McCready, 2nd Mate
Ethel Wales
as Mayor's Wife
Herman Bing
as Fish Peddler
Kit Guard
as Kibitzer
Jim Thorpe
as Indian
Tom London
as Ringsider
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Critic Reviews for Barbary Coast

All Critics (11) | Top Critics (2)

Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur hammer out a bouncing melodrama of San Francisco's sin and salad days in Barbary Coast.

Mar 25, 2006 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
New York Times
Top Critic

A wide-open San Francisco, circa 1890, is the background for one of Howard Hawks's intelligent love triangles.

Jan 1, 2000 | Full Review…
Chicago Reader
Top Critic

Engaging tale mixes romance, historical film, and anti-dictator, pro-Freedom of the Press points of view.

Nov 21, 2017 | Full Review…
Classic Film and Television

It's an entertaining but lesser Hawks film, too conventional in its storytelling to kick up any dust.

Jul 12, 2008 | Rating: B | Full Review…
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Any self-respecting San Franciscan needs to give Barbary Coast a spin.

May 18, 2006 | Rating: 3.5/5
Filmcritic.com

The primitive San Francisco is imbued with a lusty spirit, comprised of mud in the streets, tinkly pianos and crooked card games.

May 9, 2005 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
Combustible Celluloid
View All Critic Reviews (11)

Audience Reviews for Barbary Coast

½

A bit heavy on the ham in a couple of places but entertaining nontheless, Edward G. is fine as always although he should have rethought the earring. He and Miriam are a fine pair even though he despised her offscreen.

jay nixon
jay nixon

Super Reviewer

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Barbary Coast Quotes

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