The Toast of New York

The Toast of New York is a 1937 historical drama directed by Rowland V. Lee, starring Edward Arnold, Cary Grant, and Frances Farmer. The film consists of historical elements that revolve around the life and times of financier and business magnate James Fisk, played by Arnold, who was a controversial figure in the Wall Street of the 1860s.

The movie starts with Edward Arnold portraying the larger than life character of Jim Fisk, a boisterous and ambitious entrepreneur. He is introduced as an unabashed salesman with a knack for wheeling and dealing. Fisk’s life starts in a circus wagon, peddling dime museum trinkets, but his relentless ambition takes him to the heart of corporate America.

A significant part of the movie is engulfed by Fisk's business partnership with an equally ambitious but more grounded Nick Boyd, played by Cary Grant. Boyd is something of a foil to Fisk, more cool-headed but nonetheless driven by the thrill of financial success. Their brotherly relationship, coupled with their foray into the world of finance, forms the backbone of the plot of The Toast of New York. Their partnership flourishes as they invade Wall Street, embarking on high-stake business dealings involving the railroads, which were the lifeline of commercial America at the time.

Enter the character of Josie Mansfield, played by Frances Farmer. Mansfield is a sultry actress of mesmerizing beauty with whom both Fisk and Boyd become smitten. This creates a romantic triangle that immensely complicates the dual protagonists' relationship as their financial empire begins to take shape. Farmer adds the requisite glamour and tension, owing to her character's emotional entanglements with the male leads.

The movie exhibits a visual sense of 1860s New York; it’s a film of grand sets, magnificent costumes, and meticulous production design. The high production values make it an utterly fascinating snapshot of an opulent bygone era. The Toast of New York impeccably portrays the flamboyant time of American history when men with vision and audacity could ascend to dizzying heights.

In this film, Edward Arnold discards his trappings of gentility to give an exuberant performance as Jim Fisk. He successfully captures Fisk’s larger-than-life persona, his roguish charm, and his audacious financial manoeuvers. Cary Grant is comparably gallant as Nick Boyd, balancing the film with a more composed and thoughtful character, a contrast to Arnold's ebullient and outgoing Fisk.

As Josie Mansfield, Frances Farmer elegantly straddles the expectations of her character, from being a struggling actress to becoming the mistress of a financial tycoon and fervently sought after by two ambitious men. The love triangle, as threaded into the narrative, significantly influences the storyline, adding a unique romantic angle to this historical financial drama.

The story’s trajectory is much like the volatile stock market that the film represents, filled with ups and downs, skyrocketing highs and crushing lows. The Toast of New York explores dark themes and the tragic side of ambitious pursuits, as well as celebrating the thrilling and intoxicating aura of financial power and fame.

Rowland V. Lee's expert direction captures the financial flurry of the era and the magnified personal lives of the characters against the backdrop of the grand tapestry of New York. The screenplay by Dudley Nichols, John Twist, and Joel Sayre adeptly combines the elements of drama, history, and romance to provide a captivating account of these historical characters in their prime, and their eventual downfall.

In all, The Toast of New York is not just about Wall Street and money manipulation; instead, it's a story of ambition, love, rivalry, friendship, deceit, and ultimately, the want for power and recognition. Its historical accuracy may be debated, but the entertainment value and dramatic sequencing are unarguably of high quality.

The movie offers an interesting perspective on an often-overlooked era of American history, adds an intriguing love triangle, and effectively depicts the corruption and the dazzling excesses of the late 19th century's American financial world. The characters’ lives unfold dramatically, creating eminent suspense, displaying their enormities and human frailties, making them relatable despite the historical setting.

In essence, The Toast of New York is a compelling blend of history and drama that stands proud in the crowd of 1930s Hollywood cinema.