Howard Brookner (who died after completing this first feature) and Colman DeKay interweave four of Damon Runyon’s famous Broadway short stories [The Bloodhound of Broadway, A Very Honorable Guy, Social Error and The Brain Goes Home] about New Year’s Eve on Broadway in 1928. It’s a gangster’s farce that falls somewhat short of true comic inspiration.
Strong character acting by an all-star cast enlivens this fluffy little piece about romance and gangsters during Prohibition.
There’s Harriet Mackyle (Julie Hagerty), who delivered a fine performance as a rich society babe who’s throwing the party and invites some local mobsters for added color.
Randy Quaid as Feet Samuels does a satisfying job as an honorable dimwit who’s madly in love with a beautiful, diamond-hungry showgirl, Hortense Hathaway, very adeptly played by Madonna.
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Matt Dillon gives a rather tepid performance as Regret, Broadway’s lousiest horse player, especially in comparison with Jennifer Grey, who does a good job as Lovey Lou, an angel-faced showgirl in love with Regret.
