Barbary Coast (film)

Barbary Coast is a 1935 American historical drama film directed by Howard Hawks. Shot in blackandwhite and set in San Francisco during the Gold Rush era, the film combines elements of crime, Western, melodrama and adventure genres, features a wide range of actors, from goodguy Joel McCrea to badboy Edward G. Robinson, and stars Miriam Hopkins in the leading role as Mary Swan Rutledge. In an early, uncredited appearance, David Niven can be spotted playing a drunken sailor being thrown out of a bar.

Mary meets Chamalis and agrees to be his companion, not only for economic reasons as an attraction, she helps draw in customers, but for personal pleasure as well. Chamalis gives her the name Swan and she becomes his female escort. She accompanies him on promenades in town and he showers her with extravagant gifts. Their relationship sours quickly, however, as Swan is angered by Chamaliss destructive powermongering. She does not, however, mind running a crooked roulette wheel and cheating the miners out of their gold.Colonel Cobb purchases a printing press, with the intention of starting a respectable newspaper for the people of San Francisco. His first issue includes an article criticizing an unpunished murder by Chamalis and his entourage. When Chamalis finds out, he threatens to destroy Cobbs printing press and burn down the building, but is halted by Swan. Chamalis demands that Cobb never print anything attacking him. The colonel unwillingly complies. ........

Source: Wikipedia