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Highly Overrated But Still Good

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

Mischa Auer (Swami Yomurda), Phyllis Barrington (Clare Walton), Ralph Lewis (John Walton), Earl McCarty (Jimmy Reeves), Fletcher Norton (Dan Lukes), Mae Busch (Mame), Kit Guard (janitor in the editor's office), J. Frank Glendon (Meehan), Al Bridge (Hunter), Mona Lisa (the "princess"), Anita Faye (Angel-face).Directors: MELVILLE SHYER, DOROTHY REID. Original story and screenplay: Willis Kent. Photography: James Diamond. Film editor: S. Roy Luby. Settings by Republic Studios. Assistant director: Harry Crist. Sound by International Recording Engineers. Producer: Willis Kent. A True Life Photoplay by Willis Kent Productions.Copyright 30 March 1933 by Willis Kent. New York opening at the Globe: 6 April 1933. U.S. release through Progressive Pictures: 5 April 1933. Never theatrically released in Australia. 8 reels. 70 minutes. U.K. release title: VICTIMS OF THE BEYOND.NOTES: The crusading widow of silent star, Wallace Reid, turns her attention from drug abuse to another social menace: A reporter goes undercover to expose a fake psychic racket.COMMENT: A really extraordinary "B"-movie, deserving of the highest commendation in all departments, particularly in its fine acting, suspenseful script, inventive direction, moody photography, make-up and film editing. As the vicious charlatan, Auer gives a most forcefully striking performance. Mae Busch is also an absolute stand-out, but the player who grabbed my eye was personable Earl McCarty in a difficult role which he plays with such panache — admittedly assisted by superb photography which turns his "stage" make-up into a stunning grotesque — we wonder why his films were so few.

The Amazing Mr. X (1948) - watch that one for a fairly good film on the subject of a scamming swami it's in the same vein of Sucker Money. The Amazing Mr. X (1948) really is far superior to Sucker Money - it's not as cheesy and a much darker film. Sucker Money isn't a great script, it's bad really, but it's a fun film. Lots of hogwash, bologna and cheese - lots and lots of cheese. I enjoyed the film to a degree because I take it all in fun. It's just a film to watch if you want to see a swami on film in a mildly entertaining bad story. I really don't recommend Sucker Money to most people - but it is a film for people who are interested in occult topics and scams as well as enjoys the older films. 5/10

Again Phyllis Barrington had the female lead in this follow up to "Sinister Hands" but once again she was completely overshadowed, this time by veteran Mae Busch playing an alcoholic singer employed by the sinister Swami in his fake fortune telling racket. Mischa Auer impressed as the mysterious Swami Yomurda in "Sinister Hands" the year before so he was back again in "Sucker Money". In this movie his sinisterness is exposed as downright evil - all owing to the co-director Dorothy Reid. She had been married to Wallace Reid and his death, from narcotics, led her on a one woman crusade to expose the menace of drugs through films. After ten years of films like "Human Wreckage" and "The Red Kimona" she turned to another social evil that was reaching plague proportions in Hollywood - the phoney spiritualism racket!!Jimmy Reeves, reporter (Earl McCarty, a younger dead ringer for Jack Mulhall, star of "Sinister Hands", what happened, wasn't he available??), is ordered by his boss to apply for a job in which actors are wanted - he hopes Jimmy will be able to write an expose on crooked psychics. While there he meets Claire (Phyllis Barrington) whose father is being persuaded to invest in a phoney oil field by another of the Swami's actors. Veteran Mae Busch steals the movie with her portrayal of "Beautiful", an alcoholic ex singer who jumps at the chance of helping Jimmy expose these crooks. Of course Claire recognises Jimmy and feels he is part of the con but when he explains things he is overheard and sets in motion the thrilling climax where Claire is kidnapped and hypnotized and "Beautiful" saves the day by escaping to send an SOS to Jimmy's paper.The theme of fake spiritualism has been shown to better advantage in any film you could name - "Darkened Rooms" (1929), "The Hole in the Wall" (1929), even the later "Bunco Squad" (1950) but Mae Busch makes this one seem better than it is by her professionalism.

Sucker Money is a well directed, decently written film. Its also pretty respectably acted as well. A bonus is the fact not many films have been made about phony mediums so that makes it somewhat unique. I was kinda turned off by the lipstick and eyeshadow that leading man Earl McCarthy wore until I realized that it was all part of his undercover "job"...portraying a dead soldier. Amazingly, McCarthy dropped dead of a heart attack shortly after making this movie...despite the fact he was in his mid twenties and should have been in great shape, having been a professional dancer just a couple years before. Hmmmm, something fishy about all that in my opinion. People who aren't fascinated by these old black and white films will probably find nothing here. Others, like me will find that it holds their interest throughout. This would have been a wonderful vehicle for Bela Lugosi although the fellow who portrayed the swami was very good in creepy roles. I enjoyed it! It would be cool if someone investigated what really happened to young McCarthy.