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6.3/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.3/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Toast of New York remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Should you watch The Toast of New York? If you are a die-hard fan of old Hollywood or just want to see Cary Grant play someone who isn't charming, sure. If you prefer movies that actually know where they are going, maybe skip it. It is messy, loud, and kind of all over the place.
Edward Arnold is the real gravity here. He plays Jim Fisk like he is trying to eat the scenery, and honestly, he succeeds. Cary Grant is stuck in the sidekick role, which feels like a waste, but he does manage to look very dapper while making bad decisions.
The whole thing about the gold market feels like it was written on a napkin. There is a lot of shouting about stocks and bonds, but you never really feel the stakes. It is like watching someone play Monopoly if they forgot all the rules but kept all the yelling.
Frances Farmer is there too. She plays the actress Fisk is chasing, but the chemistry is... well, it's not really there. It feels like they are acting in two different movies that just happened to be filmed on the same soundstage.
There is this one scene where they are all at the opera or theater or something, and the background extras look like they are waiting for a bus. It is strangely distracting. You start watching the guy in the back row instead of the main plot.
Is it better than I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now? That is a tough call. Both are pretty dusty, but at least this one has a certain manic energy. It’s not quite as weird as Man's Best Friend, though nothing really is.
I don't know, man. It is a strange relic. It's not the kind of thing I'd watch twice, but for a rainy afternoon? It's fine. Just don't expect it to change your life or anything. It barely manages to keep its own plot straight.