Upperworld (1934)

A multi millionaire railroad tycoon (Warren William) is ignored by his social climbing wife (Mary Astor). When he meets a burlesque showgirl (Ginger Rogers), he becomes infatuated. The showgirl's sleazy boss (J. Carrol Naish) attempts to persuade the girl in blackmailing the millionaire which she refuses. But the dye is cast and a double murder and a trial is in the cards. Directed by Roy Del Ruth (THE ALLIGATOR PEOPLE), this pre-code drama isn't bad at all. The film seems to be about how the very rich can get away with anything because of their wealth and position. But the movie tries to shift the blame of the tragic events to the wife because she wasn't there for her husband. The "happy" ending seems to suggest that guilt or innocence aside, the very rich can get away with anything but the film doesn't condemn the unfairness of it but instead, it doesn't seem concerned with it and takes it in its stride. This was one of the very last pre-code movies before the Hollywood Production Code put its fist down. With Andy Devine, Sidney Toler, John Qualen and Dickie Moore.