Gambling Ship (1933)

A Chicago gangster (Cary Grant) gets acquitted of a murder rap and decides to go legit. To this end, he takes a train to Los Angeles to start his new life but he falls in love with a fellow passenger (Benita Hume). He keeps his past from her but he doesn't realize she has a few secrets of her own. Based on several short stories by Paul Cain and directed by Louis J. Gasnier and Max Marcin. This modestly enjoyable pre-code programmer features appealing performances by a pre-stardom Cary Grant and the charming Benita Hume (who would retire to marry Ronald Colman then George Sanders). I would imagine it's actually more appealing now than it was in 1933 when it was pretty standard stuff. Today, its quaintness is rather endearing. These programmers were quick (this one runs 70 minutes) and pushed the narrative quickly so that you didn't have the time to ponder the absurdities of the plot. The supporting cast includes Glenda Farrell, Jack La Rue, Roscoe Karns and Arthur Vinton.