The Toast of New York (1937)

In the tumultuous era just preceding the Civil War, enterprising charlatans Fisk, Boyd, and Luke beguile Southern locals with the allure of a potential gold fortune hidden in bars of soap. Their ruse discovered, they evade capture and cross the Mason-Dixon Line as the nation plunges into conflict. Fisk devises a daring scheme for him and Boyd to infiltrate the South, amass cotton, and clandestinely transport it to the North, entrusting Luke to exchange their illicit goods with Northern textile mills. As the war's echoes fade, they find themselves millionaires, only to learn that Luke has been clandestinely funneling their fortunes into Confederate Bonds. This cinematic journey, rooted in historical truth, paints Jim Fisk as one of history's most audacious con-men and entrepreneurs. It culminates in his notorious participation in "Black Friday", the Financial Panic of 1869, where he and an undisclosed partner, financier Jay Gould, nearly monopolize the U.S. gold market. Intertwined in this tale of daring deceit and economic gambits, a romantic rivalry unfolds between Fisk, Boyd, and the enchanting Mansfield - a narrative thread spun from the threads of genuine history. The Toast of New York immerses viewers in an epic saga of ambition, love, and the volatile game of fortunes played in the backdrop of a nation in turmoil.

The Toast of New York is a comedy movie featuring Edward Arnold.

The Toast of New York is currently streaming on TCM.

It is also possible to buy The Toast of New York on Amazon Video, Apple TV and Vudu.