The Toast of New York is a 1937 American biographical film directed by Rowland V. Lee, starring Edward Arnold, Cary Grant, Frances Farmer, and Jack Oakie. The movie is a fictionalized account of financiers James Fisk and Edward S. Stokes, based on the book "The Book of Daniel Drew" by Bouck White and the story "Robber Barons" by Matthew Josephson.
Plot
In the film, set in post-Civil War America, Jim Fisk and Nick Boyd become powerful figures on Wall Street after acquiring Daniel Drew's shipping company with worthless Confederate bonds. Fisk's greed leads him to attempt to corner the gold market, causing financial chaos. The federal government intervenes by releasing its gold reserves, bankrupting Fisk.
The Toast of New York is a 1937 biographical film that follows the story of Jim Fisk and his partner Nick Boyd as they transition from smuggling cotton during the Civil War to becoming stock speculators in New York City. The plot revolves around their rise to wealth, conflicts over actress Josie Mansfield, and Fisk's risky scheme to corner the gold market, despite the potential risks to his investors if the plan fails.
The film captures the dynamics of friendships tested by deals, swindles, and love, offering a mix of comedy and drama. Starring Edward Arnold as Jim Fisk, Cary Grant as Nick Boyd, Frances Farmer as Josie Mansfield, and Jack Oakie in a notable role, the movie portrays the ambition and downfall of these characters against the backdrop of post-Civil War America.
Cast
- Edward Arnold as Jim Fisk
- Cary Grant as Nick Boyd (based on Edward S. Stokes)
- Frances Farmer as Josie Mansfield
- Jack Oakie as Luke
- Donald Meek as Daniel Drew
- Thelma Leeds as Fleurique
- Clarence Kolb as Vanderbilt
- And other notable actors.
Director: Rowland V. Lee
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 22, 1937
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 22, 2009
Genre: biography
Theme
The theme of The Toast of New York revolves around the rise and fall of Jim Fisk, a 19th-century financier, and his ambitious endeavors in the financial world. The film portrays themes of ambition, greed, friendship, love, and the consequences of unchecked power. It delves into the complexities of Wall Street's financial markets during the post-Civil War era, highlighting the characters' struggles, relationships, and the risks they take to achieve success.
Reception
The reception of The Toast of New York has been mixed over the years. While some viewers appreciate the performances of the cast, particularly Frances Farmer, Edward Arnold, Cary Grant, and Jack Oakie, others find the film's storyline somewhat farsical and overacted. It is noted that Cary Grant did not have top billing in this movie, which is a rarity in his career. Despite its quirks, the film is still considered entertaining and offers an interesting portrayal of the post-Civil War financial world on Wall Street.
Production Challenge
The production of The Toast of New York faced various challenges, as highlighted in reviews and analyses. The film was beset with pre-production problems, which may have impacted its overall execution. Despite these challenges, the essence of the characters, particularly Jim Fisk portrayed by Edward Arnold, was captured effectively. However, some reviewers pointed out that the movie took liberties with historical facts, such as omitting Fisk's partner Jay Gould in the gold cornering scheme.
Additionally, the film's portrayal of certain characters and events deviated from historical accuracy, leading to some factual errors. For instance, the depiction of Josie Mansfield by Frances Farmer and the dynamics of Fisk's gold market manipulation were not entirely faithful to historical accounts. Despite these discrepancies, Edward Arnold's performance in the title role was praised for bringing to life a colorful character from The Gilded Age.
Setting
The settings of The Toast of New York primarily revolve around the post-Civil War era in America, particularly in New York City. The film captures the essence of Wall Street during this period, showcasing the financial world, social dynamics, and the ambitions of characters like Jim Fisk and Nick Boyd. The movie portrays a mix of opulence, greed, and power struggles against the backdrop of a rapidly changing society recovering from the aftermath of the Civil War.
Visual Styles & Techniques
The Toast of New York employs various visual styles and techniques to bring its story to life. The film, directed by Rowland V. Lee, uses a mix of historical settings, opulent costumes, and dramatic lighting to capture the essence of the post-Civil War era in America. Additionally, the movie incorporates artistic license with history, as it takes liberties with certain events and characters for storytelling purposes.
Some notable visual styles and techniques in the film include:
- Anguished Declaration of Love: The movie features emotional scenes where characters express their feelings, adding depth to the narrative.
- Time-Passes Montage: Through montages of posters, scenes, coins piling up, and financial announcements, the passage of time and key events are effectively portrayed.
- Belligerent Sexual Tension: The film uses tension between characters like Nick and Josie to build anticipation and drama.
- Hypocritical Humor: Humorous moments like Daniel searching Luke's pockets while sitting on cash add comedic elements to the storyline.
- Lovable Rogue: Jim Fisk is depicted as a charming yet morally ambiguous character, adding complexity to the narrative.
Trivia & Fun Fact
- The film The Toast of New York is a fictionalized account of the lives of financiers James Fisk and Edward S. Stokes, set in post-Civil War America.
- Notably, Cary Grant did not have top billing in this movie, which is unusual in his career.
- The movie features a mix of comedy and drama, portraying the ambition, greed, and downfall of characters like Jim Fisk against the backdrop of Wall Street's financial world during the 19th century.
- Frances Farmer's performance in the film is praised for her beauty and acting skills, adding to the movie's appeal.
- The storyline of The Toast of New York takes liberties with historical facts, such as omitting Fisk's partner Jay Gould in the gold cornering scheme.
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