Summary
Ruth Burns, an unsuspecting heiress to a New York gambling empire, unravels the paradoxes of power and morality in *Who Am I?*, a 1934 melodrama that marries the grit of urban noir with the poignancy of self-discovery. Inheriting her gambler father’s legacy, she navigates the labyrinth of debt, betrayal, and ethical dilemmas under the tutelage of the enigmatic Jimmy Weaver. As she confronts the shadow of John Collins—a manipulative antagonist who weaponizes her father’s debt—Ruth’s journey becomes a visceral exploration of complicity and redemption. The film’s climax, a visceral collision of truth and vengeance, redefines her identity, culminating in a choice between institutionalized corruption and a tenuous alliance with Jimmy. With sharp dialogue and taut direction, *Who Am I?* transcends its era, offering a proto-feminist critique of systemic exploitation.
Synopsis
Ruth Burns is not aware that her father is a professional gambler until she receives a notification of his death and comes to New York. She inherits his gambling palace, and Jimmy Weaver, one of his associates, instructs her in its operation. Informed of her father's debt to John Collins, she gambles to pay off the debt until one of her victims tries to commit suicide and she realizes the wrong she is doing. In a final game she loses her winnings, and Collins not only is unmasked by Jimmy as a cheater but is killed by a woman he deserted. Ruth discovers the debt to have been pure invention and decides to marry Jimmy.
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