On the Level (1930) is a messy, loud, and weirdly fun watch

You should probably watch this if you like seeing big, tough guys act like total idiots. It’s perfect for a rainy afternoon when you don't want to think too hard. If you hate early sound films where everyone yells their lines, you will probably hate this one.

Victor McLaglen plays Biff. He is an iron worker who spends his days 24 stories in the air. The movie starts with him flirting through a window with Lynn Crawford, played by Lilyan Tashman. Who even does that?

The height doesn't seem to bother him at all. He’s just swinging around on beams like it’s a playground. It made my stomach turn a little bit just watching it. The camera work in these early scenes is actually pretty decent for 1930.

Anyway, Lynn is a racketeer. She’s not just a pretty face. She’s looking for a sucker and Biff is the biggest one on the block. She talks him into buying 'lots' of land that don't actually exist.

Biff is so confident that he’s 'on the level.' He tells all his work buddies to put their life savings into this deal too. You can see the disaster coming from a mile away. It’s like watching a train wreck in slow motion.

The High-Rise Flirting

The scene where they first meet is the best part. He’s on a steel beam and she’s in a plush office. The contrast is really sharp. He looks so out of place once he actually goes inside to see her.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of On the Level (1930) through its definitive frames.

• The hats in this movie are incredible.
• Everyone smokes way too much.
• The sound of the rivets being hammered is actually quite annoying after five minutes.

I forgot to mention Fifi D’Orsay is in this. She plays Mimi and she brings this crazy energy every time she’s on screen. She’s way more interesting than the main plot. Sometimes she feels like she’s in a completely different movie, maybe something like Por fin se casa Zamora.

Once the guys realize they’ve been fleeced, things get intense. They don't just want their money back. They want to kill Biff. He’s gone from the hero of the worksite to the most hated man in New York.

There is a scene where Biff realizes he’s been played. McLaglen does this face where he looks like a sad puppy. It’s kind of funny because he’s so huge. You almost feel bad for him even though he was being a cocky jerk earlier.

The movie moves fast. It doesn't linger on feelings. It just jumps to the next scene. It reminds me of the pacing in The Crash, but with more shouting.

The finale happens at Grand Central Station. It feels a bit rushed. One minute they are looking for the crooks, and the next, it’s all over. I wish the chase lasted a few more minutes.

"I'm on the level, I tell ya!"

Biff says that a lot. It gets a bit repetitive. We get it, Biff. You’re honest. You’re just also very dumb.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of On the Level (1930) through its definitive frames.

I noticed a weird thing with the editing. There’s a reaction shot of a guy in a suit that lingers for about three seconds too long. He just stares at the camera. I think they forgot to cut it.

Is it a masterpiece? No. But it’s got that pre-Code grit. It feels more real than some of the polished stuff that came out a few years later like Being Respectable.

Things I Noticed

• The office furniture looks uncomfortable.
• The way they talk about 'Canada' like it's the other side of the moon.
• Lilyan Tashman’s dresses are better than the script.

If you’ve seen Henpecked, you know how these 1930 comedies can be a bit hit or miss. This one leans more into the drama side but keeps the goofy energy.

It’s not as dark as The Power of Evil. It’s mostly just a story about a guy who needs to learn to keep his wallet in his pocket.

The ending is satisfying enough. Biff gets to punch a few people. That seems to be how he solves most of his problems. It’s simple. It works.

I’d give it a watch if you find it on a streaming service or a dusty DVD. It’s a nice slice of history. Just don't expect it to change your life or anything. It’s just... on the level.