samhill5215 I've seen this film twice now and I've come to the same conclusion: it could have been so much better had the film-makers left out the stereotypes. For instance: Maureen O'Sullivan's character falls in love with the obnoxious character played by Norman Foster. Why? Because he offers to marry her and she is so anxious to do so? She doesn't care who she marries? How did she get over her initial instincts to reject him? Does anyone know a woman who could be wooed by a jerk who takes her things to keep her from leaving and can't take 'NO' for an answer? That whole subplot was ridiculous to say the least and it so dominated the picture that the interesting parts were completely overshadowed.To be truthful the film does have its good points. The relationship between Dwight (Warren William) and his wife (Hedda Hopper) and mistress (Verree Teasdale) is very adult and handled well. Although the stock swindle is on the simplistic side at least it exposed stockbrokers and financiers for the unethical thieves we now take for granted. The dynamic between the diamond broker (Jean Hersholt) and the model (Anita Page) is also very well done and it's resolution is among the high points of the film and sentimental to boot.In the acting department William outdid himself. His character is absolutely despicable and I can't think of a better actor to play the part. Of the rest the female leads (O'Sullivan, Page, Teasdale) were all well acted but it was William who was the indisputable star and the film is worth looking at just for him.

Michael_Elliott Skyscraper Souls (1932) *** (out of 4) Pre-code drama in the same vein as GRAND HOTEL, which was also produced by MGM. This time out the story centers on an entrepreneur (Warren William) who will stop at nothing to own a 100-story building that he helped create. While William tries to take over the building, he also sets his eyes on a virginal woman (Maureen O'Sullivan) who is also being looked at by a poor bank clerk (Norman Foster). This is a much talked about film because of all the pre-code nature, which includes William trying to sleep with every female in the film and other goodies such as murder and suicide. Quite a bit of bad stuff happens in this film and that certainly makes it stand apart from other movies of the decade but there's no denying a stronger story would have made the movie even better. I think the by the numbers story is the main weak link because while watching the thing you can't help but already know what's going to happen and how it's going to play out. This familiar territory is a weak point but it doesn't take away from the fun. William is devilishly good in his role and you can't help but believe his character who is evil enough to not let anyone stand in his way. O'Sullivan, right off TARZAN THE APE MAN, does a great job as well and really sells the innocence of her character. Foster, Anita Page, Gregory Ratoff and Wallace Ford also turn in nice supporting performances. Fans of this film will also want to catch EMPLOYEE'S ENTRANCE, which features Williams in the same type of role and co-stars Loretta Young and Ford.

Molly Louise Shepard Berke I absolutely loved every square foot of this movie and want to own a copy of it. It could be remade today and be a huge hit. Maureen O'Sullivan was gorgeous, the dialog was witty, the plot line complex...it had so many modern qualities, I had to rub my eyes to make sure I was watching a 30's film. I give it a thumbs up. Loved the nefarious banker, "Dave", Hedda Hopper as the dilettante wife...loved the long suffering assistant...loved Shep the jilted lover. Loved it all. It was an eerie look into the stock market crash leading up to the great depression, and of the heights and desperation the human soul can reach during trying times. The ending was literally a cliff hanger. Whew - I could not believe it! A Boffo hit! I give it two thumbs up.

Ron Oliver Utterly ruthless & immoral, the owner of New York's tallest building plots & schemes to keep control of his creation, trampling upon anyone who gets in his way. Others working in the great colossus also live lives of drama & everyday excitement. All these SKYSCRAPER SOULS will soon find themselves bound together by greed, lust, betrayal, suicide & murder.Practically screaming its pre-Production Code status, this neglected film is rather fascinating in the risqué development of its plot. Sex, both leering & suggested, plays an important role in the story. By making its hero a man both charming & completely treacherous, open to any underhand suggestion, it makes a lie out of Louis B. Mayer's assertion that all of MGM's product was family friendly. Even today, this is potent, powerful material. And absolutely engaging.Warren William is almost distressingly good as the unscrupulous building owner, around whom much of the action revolves. His blunt dishonesty almost makes chicanery respectable.The rest of the cast is equally proficient:Maureen O'Sullivan as a naive young secretary lusted over by William & loved by brash bank clerk Norman Foster.Gregory Ratoff, hilarious as a harried dressmaker.Anita Page as a brash prostitute/model beloved by noble jeweler Jean Hersholt.Verree Teasdale, William's mistress for 12 years, finally pushed to the breaking point.Wallace Ford as a radio announcer, tragically driven to desperation by his love of unhappily married Helen Coburn.George Barbier as a jolly fat debauchee, one of William's eventual financial victims.And Hedda Hopper, William's absent, knowing wife - very content with his money, but not his company.Movie mavens will also recognize Billy Gilbert as a lobby cigarette stand owner, Edward Brophy & Doris Lloyd as the man & woman in the elevator.