utgard14 Grim and gritty pre-Code crime drama about a tough-as-nails police captain (Walter Huston) with a hard-on for wiping out crime. His brother (Wallace Ford) falls for a vampy bad girl (Jean Harlow). Through her, he gets involved with gangster Sam Belmonte (a miscast Jean Hersholt). This leads to an inevitable clash between brothers.Well-directed and well-written with solid acting, especially for 1932. Harlow is her usual alluring self. Huston is great in a part that is not very sympathetic, despite his being the protagonist. Early work by J. Carrol Naish as Hersholt's henchman, Cholo. Speaking of Hersholt, he was the only suspect casting. I'm not bashing Hersholt because he was a fine actor. But hearing him spout gangster slang through his thick accent was a little silly. Mickey Rooney has a small part as one of Huston's kids.Another great Walter Huston movie from the '30s. He made a lot of interesting ones. The aim of this particular film is to glorify cops not criminals. At least that's what the Herbert Hoover-signed message before the credits says. Yet the ultimate message of the movie is that in order for the cops to stop the criminals, they have to abandon the rule of law and take matters into their own hands. The final shoot-out between the gangsters and the vigilante cops is amazing.

Michael O'Keefe There is just something I like about old black & white crime dramas, especially when they are good. BEAST OF THE CITY is very good and has all the elements you look for plus an outstanding gun battle for a finale. Captain Jim Fitzpatrick(Walter Huston)heads crime investigations and sometimes appears to be a one man fighter against organized crime. Fitzpatrick arrests a well-known mobster Sam Belmonte(Jean Hersholt)at his night club for the murder of four gangsters. The charges as usual don't stick; thus keeping the captain constantly at odds with his chief(Emmett Corrigan). Jim is transfered to a quiet precinct; but he is still determined to get the goods to put Belmonte away for good. Jim has his brother Ed(Wallace Ford),also on the force, to pump the crime boss' stenographer Daisy(Jean Harlow)for some damaging information. Ed falls for the platinum blonde and soon appears to being swayed to the dark side. Organized crime has to be slowed down; Jim Fitzpatrick will turn vigilante gathering a few of the believers he still has in the department and has brother Ed set up a showdown with Belmonte in his night club. I was hoping that Harlow had more screen time. Other players in this crime drama: Tully Marshall, John Miljan, Dorothy Peterson, Sandy Roth and J. Carroll Naish.

Michael_Elliott Beast of the City, The (1932) *** (out of 4) MGM gangster film shown from the point of view of the police. Capt. Fitzpatrick (Walter Huston) is out to bring down gangster Sam Belmonte (Jean Hersholt) but is sold out by his brother (Wallace Ford) who has fallen for the gangster's girl (Jean Harlow). This film is certainly a lot different than the Warner gangster pictures as it doesn't glamorize the gangsters but instead puts the spotlight on the public for allowing gangs to rule the streets. Huston is his usual fiery self and both Ford and Harlow shine in their supporting roles. The subplot between Ford and Harlow is a bit weak but it leads to a highly powerful ending, which is among one of the best scenes from all the gangster films from this period.

Charles Herold (cherold) This is a classic example of those pre-Hays Code movies of the 30s, gritty and violent steeped in a general sort of sleazy atmosphere. Harlow is terrific, especially in her first scene with Wallace Ford; sexy, funny, tough. The movie is fast-paced and has a certain style and an engaging toughness.Entertaining most of the way through, it begins to run out of energy towards the end, and also out of intelligence. While the other comments here laud the stylish, incredibly violent ending, it's really dumb, contrived and completely unconvincing. For some reason people here are so taken with its visceral effect that they ignore its utter ridiculousness. But overall this movie holds up very well for something from the 30s, and is well worth watching.