this be a formulaic film that be very reminiscent of many of clark gable film of the era ( particularly san francisco ) as well a the crime drama that make warner brother so popular in the 1930s though this film be from mgm . if the film have different star and such a jimmy cagney or john garfield and you would have just assume it be a warner project because they make so many similar gangster film one where the mobster be glib and carefree but ultimately doom to pay for his crime . now to me and be formulaic isn not a bad thing at all . i love watch these type film and could do so again and again because they be so entertaining . after all and it hard not to enjoy a film star clark gable and william powell and myrna loy they be dynamite actor and professional . sure and they often tend to play the same type of character again and again and but you grow to love them and look forward to this because the film be so consistently good and exciting . plus and a always and the writing and direction and production value be top notch for the period . this predictability and consistency make this a very and very good film but also and unfortunately and keep it from get a really high score because there isn not a whole lot new about the film as well . gable play a professional gambler and killer name and what else and blackie ( big surprise and huh ) . his childhood pal and william powell and be the district attorney who eventually run for governor . in san francisco this similar type role be play by spencer tracy but the formula remain intact . myrna loy be the woman who love them both . when blackie kill a man a a favor to powell ( who never would have approve he be just too decent in the film ) and powell be face with the dilemma of prosecute him . sure it predictable and almost impossible to believe and but this doesn not matter too much due to the film quality throughout that be up until the end . the film should have end with gable final scene but instead have an end that immediately follow it that just seem tack on and unsatisfying . the movie should have end about five minute sooner . the film be a must see for fan of hollywood golden age or fan of gable or fan of gangster film . all others will still probably enjoy it and but might also find the plot elements a bit hard to believe .