Vanity Street (1932): An Intriguing Urban Drama
Cast:
- Charles Bickford as the tough cop
- Helen Chandler as the down-on-her-luck showgirl
Director:
- [Director’s Name] (Note: Please fill in if known)
Writer:
- [Writer’s Name] (Note: Please fill in if known)
Summary:
“Vanity Street” invites audiences into the shadowy underbelly of 1930s New York City, blending elements of crime, romance, and redemption. In this moody pre-Code drama, Charles Bickford portrays a gritty yet fair police officer who becomes an unlikely hero for a struggling showgirl, played by Helen Chandler. As their paths intertwine amidst the smoky haze of speakeasies and the harsh realities of life on the margins, their burgeoning relationship captures both the vulnerability and resilience of the human spirit.
The film takes a dark turn when Chandler’s character is wrongfully accused of murder, pushing Bickford’s cop to risk both his badge and his heart in a quest for justice. The film expertly navigates themes of loyalty and sacrifice, set against the backdrop of a prohibition-era New York City that serves as both a character and a canvas for its gripping narrative.
“Vanity Street” encapsulates the grit and glamour of its time, showcasing the struggles of those who live in the shadows while also delivering a compelling story of love fighting against the odds. With stylish cinematography and sharp dialogue, this lean drama offers a window into a world rife with danger and desire, making it a noteworthy entry in the canon of early 1930s cinema.
In a landscape dominated by escapism, “Vanity Street” stands out as a poignant exploration of the human condition, reminding viewers of the delicate balance between darkness and light in the pursuit of happiness.
Watch the video by Stream City
Video “Vanity Street | FREE MOVIE (Charles Bickford, Helen Chandler)” was uploaded on 07/09/2025 to Youtube Channel Stream City
Mayo Methot, as Fern in the movie, future wife of Humphrey Bogart. Also, what kind of police car is that? Love the ruggedly forever handsome Charles Bickford.
Big Charles Bickford fan here. His autobiography "Balls, Balls, Bicycles an Actors" was a great book. Out of print now. Might be able to get it one-bay. Worth the time!
Love the older American movies which show a city’s culture at the time. Women and men dressed beautifully and had self respect.
Geesh, what a great story, and to see Charles Bickford so young. Fabulous.
Coming soon to a neighborhood near you, don’t expect a Good Samaritan cop.
That was a lovely film, thanks for the upload!
Helen Chandler was born in Charleston, South Carolina on February 1, 1906. By the late 1920s she had become a hugely popular actress on the New York stage. That Hollywood should beckon was inevitable, but unfortunately whatever quality made Chandler a success on the stage did not survive the transition to film. Chandler is probably best remembered by movie fans as the fragile Mina, pursued and nearly victimized by Bela Lugosi in the original Dracula (1931). In 1937 Chandler left Hollywood to return to the stage, but a dependency on alcohol and sleeping pills haunted her subsequent career, and in 1940 she was committed to a sanitarium. Ten years later she was disfigured in a fire, apparently caused by smoking in bed. Helen Chandler died (following surgery for a bleeding ulcer) on April 30, 1965. Her body was cremated, however, as no relative ever came forward to claim the remains, her ashes reposed in the vault (off limits to visitors) of the Chapel of the Pines Crematory in Los Angeles. After an online fundraising effort led by Hollywood Graveyard YouTube channel creator Arthur Dark, Chandler's ashes were reinurned in the Cathedral Mausoleum of Hollywood Forever Cemetery on July 13, 2023.
That's one of the saddest things i think i've ever read.
Helen Chandler!
I love these classics they are so peaceful they relaxes me😇