Spencer Tracy In “Now I’ll Tell” 1934
It could have been a good movie.
Spencer Tracy portrays the complexities of the man that this film was based upon.
Now I’ll Tell was written by Mrs. Carolyn Rothstein, widow of New York gambler and crime boss Arnold Rothstein.
Rothstein died on November 6, 1928, a couple of days after being shot at The Park Central Hotel. On his deathbed he refused to say who had shot him. Supposedly Rothstein was shot because of a large gambling debt he neglected to pay.
But Now I’ll Tell is a Hollywood version of Rothstein’s life with Spencer Tracy playing Murray Golden. Why not use Rothstein’s name? The standard film disclaimer? “This is a work of fiction. any similarities to persons living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.” Strange because Mrs. Rothstein’s name was included on the publicity stills and featured under the title of the movie poster.
As good an actor as Tracy is and even with a fine supporting cast of Alice Faye and Helen Twelvetrees, the plot is lacking and the film drags. There is not even a mention of Rothstein’s coup de grace, the fixing of 1919 World Series.
I don’t recall a showing of Now I’ll Tell on TCM but if you want to see it for yourself it is available on YouTube.
I remember this being on AMC many, many years ago (back before they had commercials). I tried to watch it, but only made it about 10-15 minutes in. Of course, I was probably only 12 or13 at the time, so it’s one that I should try to watch again some day. As an adult, I have a much higher tolerance for bad movies from this era than I do modern films.