Bumbling policeman P.C. Josser is dismissed from the force after a disastrous attempt to distinguish himself at a nightclub. Mistaking his own comrades for criminals, he inadvertently "bowls them over like nine-pins," leading to his immediate firing. After losing his job, Josser sets himself up as a private detective. He is hired by a young lady who owns a racehorse and needs protection for her "favourite" horse before a big race. To protect the animal, Josser goes undercover as a stableman. Despite his efforts, the horse is drugged, leading to further comedic mishaps as he attempts to solve the case and redeem his reputation.
Mary Davis, alone and destitute in New York City, pilfers a meal from a restaurant and eludes the police by ducking into the Cafe Royale, where she is shuffled along a line of aspiring chorines awaiting job interviews.
Loey Tsing, the first love of Chan Wang, is sold into slavery by her father. Although Chan marries another, he still loves Loey; only the birth of a son relieves his unhappiness.
Despondent over the infidelity of his wife, William McCabe wanders on the waterfront considering suicide, but instead he saves the life of Shark Moran.
Famous playwright Paul Worden decamps to a country bungalow to work on a new play, rehearsing with his leading lady, Marjorie Sinclair, who is staying nearby.
Naïve young Englishman, Silas P. Binns inherits a substantial business in Chicago. Unaware of the city's reputation for rampant organized crime during the Prohibition era, Silas arrives in America with idealistic expectations.
In this brief B programmer, a nurse is hired to care for a widower's daughter who is unaware that her father is a gangster and that her mother is actually still alive.
Popular movie trailers from 1931
These some of the most viewed trailers for movies released in 1931:
Slapstick comedy in which luckless slate club treasurer Bill Smithers is sent to prison for three years after being mistakenly accused of stealing funds.
Wallingford is a con-man whose specialty is taking money from suckers. His partners are Schnozzle, a pickpocket and car thief; and Blackie, who has played the game for years.
During a rainstorm at a remote manor house, Richard Crayell plays host to several guests. At nine o'clock sharp, he excuses himself from the card table to take his medicine, promising to return soon.
Bart Morgan controls the town of Cactus City and is keeping all men away from Jane Rankin. When Johnny Day arrives and takes an interest in Jane, Morgan tries to kick him out.
