Reporter Joe Miller is sure that fisherman Eli Kirk smuggles illegal Chinese immigrants into the country, but can't obtain enough evidence to satisfy his editor. Chance plays into his hands in the lovely form of Kirk's daughter, Julie, whom he catches swimming in the nude and pumps for information. But she's fiercely loyal to her dad, and may be too attractive for Joe's own good. Racy pre-Code sexual situations.... (Full plot summary below)
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Reporter Joe Miller is sure that fisherman Eli Kirk smuggles illegal Chinese immigrants into the country, but can't obtain enough evidence to satisfy his editor. Chance plays into his hands in the lovely form of Kirk's daughter, Julie, whom he catches swimming in the nude and pumps for information. But she's fiercely loyal to her dad, and may be too attractive for Joe's own good. Racy pre-Code sexual situations.
Leave your thoughts about I Cover the Waterfront.
| Ozus' World Movie ReviewsDennis SchwartzAt the time it was fresh, daring and influential, especially raising eyebrows in the 1930s were the scenes of casual sex. |
| User ReviewWalter MIn "I Cover the Waterfront," Joe Miller(Ben Lyon) is an aspiring novelist who has gotten bored with his beat on the waterfront, a job which McCoy(Hobart Cavanaugh), his new bunkmate, would kill for. That still does not explain why Miller is reluctant to cover reports of a skinny dipper. His interest perks up when he finds out it is Julie Kirk(Claudette Colbert) who is the daughter of Eli Kirk(Ernest Torrence) who is suspected of running a human smuggling ring. "I Cover the Waterfront" is a prime example of an early social issues drama. While I might not be surprised by the less than enlightened attitudes, I was kind of taken aback by the ignorance of the human cost involved and making the villain more than a little sympathetic in favor of a message against ambition. And I am pretty sure that a reporter has never before or since brought a human body into a newsroom. But then the always delightful Claudette Colbert has excellent chemistry with Ben Lyon and that is enough to spare the movie, however marginally. |
| User ReviewGreg Wgood early career Colbert post that Oscar in that 1931 Columbia pic 'it happened one night' |
| User ReviewAlex CI enjoyed this movie, you have to take into account when it was made to enjoy it. |
| User ReviewBill MRATHER AVERAGE STORY, UPLIFTED BY CLAUDETTE COLBERT'S PRESENCE AND FINE PERFORMANCE. |
