The read
Critics rate it 14 points higher than audiences do.
Synopsis
The wealthiest man in the world, John P. Merrick, is a private person who likes to stay anonymous. One of his many assets is Neeley's Department Store. There is labor unrest at the store, and the employees' anger is directed at him, who they hang in effigy outside the store despite not knowing what he looks like. Merrick, not happy at what he sees going on, decides to mete out the rabble-rousers. So he goes undercover as a sales clerk in the shoe department.
Ratings
IMDb7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes90%
Critics rate it 14 points higher than audiences do.
66 audience votes
Key crew
- Norman KrasnaWriter
- Sam WoodDirector
Cast
- Jean ArthurMary Jones
- Robert CummingsJoe O'Brien
- Charles CoburnJohn P. Merrick/Thomas Higgins
- Edmund GwennHooper
- Spring ByingtonElizabeth Ellis
- S.Z. SakallGeorge (Merrick's Butler)
- William DemarestFirst Detective
- Walter KingsfordMr. Allison (General Manager)
- Montagu LoveHarrison
- Richard CarleOliver
- Charles WaldronNeedles
- Edwin MaxwellWithers
Stills
Themes
salesclerknew york cityundercoverclerkdepartment storetycoonbillionaireclass differencesshoe salesmansalesgirlpretending to be poor