Clear All Wires!

Watch Clear All Wires!

"He Had a Nose for News...an eye for blondes!"
  • NR
  • 1933
  • 1 hr 17 min
  • 5.9  (179)

Clear All Wires! is a 1933 pre-code comedy-drama film directed by George W. Hill and starring Lee Tracy, Benita Hume, and Una Merkel. The movie tells the story of a newspaper journalist, Tim Donovan (Lee Tracy), who is desperate to get his next big scoop. Tim is a fast-talking, hard-drinking sensationalist who will stop at nothing to get the story, even if it means bending the truth. His editor Frank McCrary (Paul Harvey) is equally keen to run with whatever will sell papers, and together the two men make a formidable team.

The story takes place in a busy and bustling New York City newsroom, where Tim and his fellow reporters compete for front-page coverage. There's a constant buzz of activity, and phones ring constantly as the reporters race to be first with the latest news. It's an exciting and hectic world, and Tim revels in the adrenaline rush of it all. The movie has a lot of wry humor and fast-paced dialogue, with Lee Tracy delivering his lines with rapid-fire intensity.

The plot is driven by a series of events that unfolds over the course of a single day. It all starts when Tim overhears a conversation between two elderly ladies at a restaurant. One of them tells a wild tale about a wealthy businessman named Henry Dreiser who is planning to sabotage a new radio tower because it interferes with his own radio signals. Tim immediately sees this as his big chance to break a sensational story, but in order to do so, he needs proof.

He sets about investigating and tracks down Dreiser's secretary, Alice Burke (Benita Hume), who is initially suspicious of Tim's motives but eventually comes to trust him. Together, they discover evidence of Dreiser's plan and try to find a way to stop him before it's too late. Meanwhile, Tim's loyal colleague, Polly de Haven (Una Merkel), helps out by keeping the newsroom running smoothly and covering for him when he needs to sneak out to follow a lead.

The tension builds as the deadline for the newspaper approaches and Tim races against the clock to get his story in. There are several obstacles along the way, including a rival reporter who tries to steal Tim's scoop, a run-in with the police, and a frantic car chase through busy New York streets. All the while, Tim's personal life is falling apart as his long-suffering girlfriend (Clare Dodd) grows increasingly fed up with his self-centered ways.

In the end, Tim succeeds in breaking the story, and the newspaper runs a banner headline: "Dreiser's Plot to Sabotage Radio Tower Foiled!" The ensuing drama leads to a happy resolution and a change of heart for Tim, who realizes that there's more to life than just getting the story at any cost.

Overall, Clear All Wires! is a highly entertaining movie that showcases Lee Tracy's talents as a fast-talking, wisecracking journalist. The pace is frenetic, and the dialogue crackles with energy and wit. The movie is also notable for its depiction of the world of journalism in the 1930s, with all its noise, chaos, and cutthroat competition. It's a fun and engaging romp through a bygone era, and well worth watching for fans of classic Hollywood cinema.

Clear All Wires! is a 1933 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 17 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.

Clear All Wires!
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Where to Watch Clear All Wires!
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  • Release Date
    1933
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 17 min
  • IMDB Rating
    5.9  (179)
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