Skyscraper Souls (1932)

In a 100 story skyscraper in Manhattan, various characters from the rich and powerful to the poor working class live out their lives. Romance, seduction, betrayal, suicide, murder, greed all play a part. Based on the novel SKYSCRAPER by Faith Baldwin and directed by Edgar Selwyn (THE SIN OF MADELON CLAUDET). This juicy pre code melodrama has (to steal from ALL ABOUT EVE) everything but the bloodhounds snapping at its characters' heels. At the heart of the film's narrative is Warren William as the ruthless, power hungry owner of the skyscraper who'll stop at nothing to retain power and control, even if it means backstabbing his friends and business associates, even his loyal mistress (Verree Teasdale). The romance between two young people (Maureen O'Sullivan, Norman Foster) is somewhat annoying rather than sweet. Their meeting is supposed to be "cute" but Foster's constant pursuit of O'Sullivan would be looked on as sexual harassment today. A nice slice of pre code pulp. With Gregory Ratoff, Anita Page, Wallace Ford, Jean Hersholt and Hedda Hopper.