The Unwritten Law 1932
"WHO MURDERED THE SEX-MAD MOVIE PRODUCER WHOSE SZPECIALITIES WERE KEPT-WOMEN AND UNKEPT PROMISES?"
When a notorious Hollywood film producer meets a brutal end aboard a luxury liner in Christy Cabanne's *The Unwritten Law (1932)*, the glittering surface of 1930s cinema hides a web of deceit and vengeance.
Director: Christy Cabanne
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Unwritten Law (1932) about?
A Hollywood producer is found dead on a ship, and the suspects include a young woman seeking revenge for her mother's mistreatment and a fired electrician nursing a grudge. As the liner's passengers become entangled in lies, the truth emerges from the shadows of Hollywood's golden age.
Who directed The Unwritten Law?
Christy Cabanne directed *The Unwritten Law*. A veteran of silent and early talkie cinema, Cabanne was known for crafting taut crime dramas with a human touch.
Who stars in The Unwritten Law?
The film stars Greta Nissen, Richard 'Skeets' Gallagher, Mary Brian, Lew Cody, and Louise Fazenda in pivotal roles that drive the mystery forward.
Is The Unwritten Law (1932) worth watching?
While it lacks modern polish, *The Unwritten Law* offers a fascinating glimpse into pre-Code crime dramas with sharp dialogue and a compact runtime. Fans of early mysteries or Greta Nissen's work will find its lurid premise compelling, even if technical flaws occasionally surface.
How long is The Unwritten Law?
The Unwritten Law runs approximately 66 minutes, a brief but punchy entry in the crime-mystery genre.
About The Unwritten Law (1932) — A Crime Mystery on the High Seas with Greta Nissen
When a notorious Hollywood film producer meets a brutal end aboard a luxury liner in Christy Cabanne's *The Unwritten Law (1932)*, the glittering surface of 1930s cinema hides a web of deceit and vengeance. The victim's twisted reputation—built on exploitation and broken promises—points fingers at everyone from the seductive starlet he wronged to the disgruntled technician he left jobless. This crime mystery weaves romance and suspense into a compact 66-minute thriller, where glamour clashes with grit in a confined setting ripe for suspicion.
Directed by Cabanne, known for his knack for blending crime with human drama, the film features Greta Nissen as the wronged young woman, Richard 'Skeets' Gallagher as the fast-talking suspect, and Mary Brian as the moral compass among the suspects. With sharp dialogue and a lurid backstory—promising 'kept women and unkept promises'—this pre-Code gem delivers a chilling look at justice outside the courtroom. Its breezy runtime belies a dark core, perfect for fans of early mysteries that balance style with substance.