Donald Henderson Clarke (1887–1958)

Danny Barrett, son of wealthy ex-bootlegger, Lewis Barrett, decides he wants to write a play about crime. A plat that gives a real look at criminals and the way society treats them and why they are the way they are. “Some serious stuff.”
To do this, Danny tells his dad he will “go and live with ‘em…with the underworld. …eat with ‘em, and sleep with ‘em and dissect ‘em. Wear old clothes and take a cheap room.”

Danny’s dad knows what the underworld is about and figures it might be a good eye-opener for his determined son. Danny has had all the spoils of being raised in a rich home.

What evolves is a friendship between Danny and two well-known gangsters; gangsters who are against each other and the respective gangs. Danny invites each gang to visit his parents’ country home, while the parents are away, but each refuse his offer.

Things take a madcap turn when both show up, with their gang, on the same weekend that his parent have returned home and are having a huge social event to announce the senior Barrett’s running for mayor. It becomes a fine balancing act for Danny to keep the two gangs apart and unaware they are both there.

Written in 1940, the style, characters, action and language are reminiscent of the comedy movies back then.… (mais)