Day of Reckoning (1933)
Directed by Charles Brabin and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Day of Reckoning is a taut, emotionally charged drama that dives into themes of financial desperation, betrayal, and moral collapse. It stars Richard Dix as a man whose attempt to maintain appearances leads to ruin—and a reckoning that’s both legal and personal.
Plot Summary
John Day (Richard Dix) is a well-to-do businessman married to the glamorous and materialistic Dorothy (Madge Evans). To support her lavish tastes, John embezzles money from his firm, believing he can repay it before anyone notices. But his crime is discovered, and he’s arrested during his own birthday party.
As John faces prison time, his supposed friend George Hollins (Conway Tearle) hires a crooked lawyer to ensure John is convicted—so he can pursue Dorothy himself. While John serves time, Dorothy enjoys Hollins’ gifts and attention, but the triangle turns deadly when Hollins’ jilted ex-lover seeks revenge.
Cast Highlights
- Richard Dix as John Day
- Madge Evans as Dorothy Day
- Conway Tearle as George Hollins
- Una Merkel as Mamie
- George “Spanky” McFarland as Johnny Day
- Isabel Jewell, Stuart Erwin, and James Bell in supporting roles
Behind-the-Scenes Trivia
- The film was credited as being based on a novel by Morris Lavine, but no such novel has ever been found—it may never have been published
- Genevieve Tobin was listed in early production notes but does not appear in the final cut
- This was the only film Richard Dix made at MGM, as he was under contract with RKO at the time
- MGM originally wanted Richard Barthelmess for the lead, but his salary demands were too high
- A milkman’s bill for $32.35 is presented in the film—equivalent to about $632 in 2019
