Adapted from W. R. Burnett's novel, a gambler marries; but
his wife objects to his betting.
Jim "Buck" Turner (Edward G. Robinson) wins $20,000
on a horse race and quickly loses it. Jim rents a room from Marge
Mayhew (Genevieve Tobin) in a boardinghouse over the objections
of her mother (Emma Dunn). Marge tells her mother she is going
to marry Jim. He works as a hotel night-clerk. Joe (Gordon Westcott)
tells John Bright (Sidney Toler) that Jim's tip paid off and gives
Jim $60. Bright quarrels with Jim and gets him fired. Jim won't
let Marge take a job. Jim finds Bright and hits him and another
man; but then Bright befriends Jim and hires him to check out
a dog track for $100 a week. They gamble, and Jim wins $6,000,
splitting it with Bright. Jim is evicted and tells Marge about
his new job.
Jim waters his yard and smooches with Marge. At the dog track
Jim reports to George Porter. Jim gets a tip on Dark Hazard but
bets on #2. Dark Hazard beats #2. Jim learns that his friend Valerie
Wilson (Glenda Farrell) owns #2, and he says he is married. Jim
lies to Marge about betting. Porter persuades Jim to bet on #7,
but Dark Hazard wins again. Jim meets Dark Hazard's owner Tex
Willis (Robert Barrat), and he takes Marge to meet the dog. Jim
leaves Valerie to go home late for dinner, and Marge says his
rent check bounced. Marge says she is going to have a baby. Valerie
and two men call on Jim, but Marge gets them to leave and tells
Jim to go. Jim with Valerie gambles $20 and wins $20,000. Jim
kisses Valerie but goes home to Marge.
Jim wakes to find that Marge left with all the money except $500
to go home. Jim gambles and loses. He rides a freight train home
to Marge. He learns he has a son; but Marge says she is divorcing
him, because she wants to marry Pres Barrow (George Meeker). After
going out with Pres, Marge comes in and tells Jim she is not getting
divorced, and Pres will give Jim a job. Jim works as a cashier
for Pres. George Mayhew (Hobart Cavanaugh) tells Jim of a new
dog track. Jim sees Tex, and Dark Hazard hurts his leg. Jim buys
the dog for $25 and takes care of him. Jim drinks with George
and says he is going to take Marge away. Jim argues with Pres
and socks him. Jim leaves with Dark Hazard and hitchhikes. They
travel to Australia. Jim wins money, and Valerie bosses him.
This drama is fairly realistic in the human conflict the
gambling causes; but few gamblers are as lucky as Jim.