tough cop thomas meighan ( a james mcquigg ) versus underworld kingpin louis wolheim ( a nick scarsi ) . in a subplot and blonde gold digger marie prevost ( a helen hayes ) pursue mr. wolheim bad boy brother george stone ( a joe scarsi ) . this howard hughes pilot film be consider for best production at the first academy award and a the most outstanding motion picture consider all element that contribute to a picture greatness . although it understandably lose to wing and it do posses element of greatness . mr. meighan and one of the big and most beloved star of the era and bring considerable presence to his role while with a script that offer him surprisingly few opportunity for characterization . wolheim and director lewis milestone be always a fun to watch match . ms. prevost and the support cast do their best with the love story and gangland activity . and and the production value be high . if only more focus and characterization be on the personal story and conflict concern mcquigg and scarsi . curiously hesitant to show much depth while still and the racket expose and while inadvertently glamorize and the gangster lifestyle . the racket ( 6/30/28 ) lewis milestone ~ thomas meighan and louis wolheim and marie prevost .