Piccadilly (1929)

In the dazzling heart of London's nightlife, at the illustrious Piccadilly Club, a captivating dance duo, Mabel Greenfield and Victor Smiles, reign supreme. Their electrifying performances draw the city's social elite, including the club's owner, Valentine Wilmot, who is ensnared in a tangled love triangle with the performers. Mabel, despite Victor's infatuation, is entwined in an illicit affair with Valentine, setting the stage for a potent mix of passion, envy, and betrayal. One fateful night, their dance of allure is disrupted by a disgruntled patron irritated by a dirty plate. The ensuing investigation leads Valentine into the pulsating heart of the club's kitchen, the scullery, where he stumbles upon an unexpected spectacle. There, amidst the clatter of dishes and the steamy atmosphere, Shosho, a Chinese dishwasher, holds court on a table, enchanting her fellow employees with her exotic dance. In the aftermath, Valentine, captivated by Shosho's raw talent but incensed by the distraction, fires both her and Victor. Yet, as Mabel's solo performances fail to retain the club's clientele, Valentine is forced to reevaluate the dismissed dishwasher's potential. He invites Shosho to grace the stage of the Piccadilly Club, where she swiftly becomes an overnight sensation, her mesmerizing dance earning rave reviews and catching Valentine's eye once more. This sudden shift in dynamics fuels Mabel's jealousy, leading her to confront Shosho about her feelings for Valentine. As the lights dim and the music plays on, the stage is set for an electrifying showdown, where love, ambition, and the intoxicating rhythm of the dance intertwine in the high-stakes world of the Piccadilly Club.

Piccadilly is a crime movie featuring Gilda Gray and directed by E.A. Dupont.

Piccadilly is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on Criterion Channel.