Women Are Trouble (1936)

In the tempestuous era following Prohibition, the notorious Tim Gleason gang transitions from bootlegging to the perilous "protection" racket. As the city trembles under a wave of ruthless robberies and cold-blooded murders, Eldridge, the tenacious head of the liquor control board, and Matt Casey, an audacious reporter for The Star, both claim to have damning information that could topple the gang's reign of terror. Amidst this turmoil, Ruth Nolan, a spirited small-town reporter, seeks to make her mark in the big city. Despite being dismissed by Bill Blaine, The Star's skeptical editor, Ruth's determination leads her to Eldridge, hoping for an exclusive interview. Instead, she becomes an inadvertent witness to Eldridge's shocking murder, thrusting her into the heart of the city's most dangerous story. Impressed by Ruth's audacious scoop, Bill grudgingly offers her a job. However, Matt, still holding onto the archaic belief that women are unsuited for journalism, refuses to collaborate with her. Undeterred, Ruth continues to prove her mettle, even as the stakes escalate dangerously. When Ruth inadvertently photographs the disguised gunman who murders Murty, another cog in Gleason's deadly machine, she becomes the gang's next target. However, her quick thinking enables The Star to expose the killer's face to the city. Drawn deeper into the pursuit of truth and justice, Ruth and Matt's relationship evolves from rivalry to romance, their chemistry sparking even as they navigate the city's treacherous underworld. In a thrilling climax, Ruth, Matt, and Bill are taken captive by Gleason's gang. Just when all hope seems lost, the arrival of Police Inspector Matson and his men turns the tide. The case is laid to rest, and the city breathes a sigh of relief. The experience transforms Matt's perspective, making him see the value of women reporters, and prompts Bill to reconsider his relationship with his ex-wife, Frances. In "Women are Trouble," the gritty reality of the post-Prohibition era intertwines with the dramatic evolution of gender roles in journalism, resulting in an enthralling tale of courage, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of truth.

Women Are Trouble is a crime movie featuring Frank Lackteen and directed by Errol Taggart.

Women Are Trouble is currently streaming on DIRECTV and TCM.