Disorderly Conduct (1932)





After issuing a speeding ticket to Phyllis Crawford, who laughs it off due to her father's influence and corrupt dealings, motorcycle officer Dick Fay is demoted to a walking patrolman under Captain Tom Manning. Fay, bitter about his experience, humiliates Manning, who is infatuated with Crawford. Fay then reveals to a gangster, Alsotto, that Manning is planning a raid, but Manning finds out and forces Fay to lead the raid on Alsotto's hideout. During the raid, Fay discovers Crawford and helps her escape, using this knowledge to blackmail her father. Alsotto is released from prison and seeks to kill Fay, but ends up killing Fay's nephew instead. Fay kills Alsotto in retaliation, and is deeply affected by the boy's death. Fay confesses to Manning and returns the blackmail money. He is later reinstated to his motorcycle officer position.


Vintage magazines

Photoplay , April 1932

Books with substantial mentioning of Disorderly Conduct

Donald Descher
The Films of Spencer Tracy
New York, 1968

Books with an entry on Disorderly Conduct

Aubrey Solomon
The Fox Film Corporation, 1915-1935, A history and filmography
Jefferson, N.C., 2011

Larry Langman and Daniel Finn
A Guide to American Crime Films of the Thirties
Westport, Connecticut - London, 1995