Ep 99: Barbara Stanwyck in Ladies of Leisure (1930)

Before the craze for mob syndicates became all the rage in Hollywood, Frank Capra's picture with Barbara Stanwyck and Marie Prevost argued that rich men were the real gangsters. Men in the society register could serve caviar in office orgies and maul gals on the night boat to Albany. Kay Arnold (Stanwyck) and Dot Lamarr (Prevost) are just two working girls trying to make a living on the edges of society graft. Their friendship is more compelling than the romantic angle. When the chips are down, you can rely on a dame like Marie Prevost. Stanwyck's star vehicle is still one of her best performances.