Up for Murder

Naïve newspaper office boy Lew Ayres (Robert) lives with his mother Dorothy Peterson and dreams of becoming a reporter. He gets his wish but is then ordered to escort the newspaper's Society Editor Genevieve Tobin (Myra) to an important social function. His life is changed both in a good way......and in a bad way.....

It's a straightforward story that stretches the imagination a little. Richard Tucker (Herk) puts in a good effort to cover up the murder story that plays out but I think there are serious consequences for him at the film's end. Lying in court is frowned upon. The film takes us down the path of loyalty to the newspaper first. Forget the truth, that can be fixed at a later date. It's still the same today, especially the 'forget the truth' part.

It's well acted by all and Genevieve Tobin is the most memorable. Lew Ayres is slightly too naïve but he does okay portraying an innocent lovesick young man. Frank McHugh (Collins) plays the office drunk and puts a bit of depth into his character which was a good move or he would have been incredibly annoying. This allows him to just about carry off the irritating drunkard role.

Newspapers are always up to tricks. I know of one UK well-regarded paper that published lies in order to protect the daughter of the owner or editor or whatever high up position this guy held. The story was printed that her boyfriend was climbing up the outside of her building to be with her as a romantic gesture when tragedy struck and he fell. The reality was that she had locked him in the apartment and he had climbed out of the window to escape from her. Don't believe what you read!