by Hal Erickson
synopsis
Perennial sidekick George E. Stone is given the leading role in The Big Brain. Stone plays a small-town barber, short of stature but a giant in the world of stock promotion. As his bank account grows, Stone's ethics diminish, and soon he's playing fast and loose with other people's money. Disgruntled investor Fay Wray is the one who finally blows the whistle on the prevaracating hair-snipper. Reportedly based on the career of real-life swindler Charles Ponzi, The Big Brain also owes a great deal to the 1931 Edward G. Robinson vehicle Smart Money. This RKO programmer was released in Great Britain as Enemies of Society.
characteristics
- Work Ethics
- Rise And Fall Stories
- Stocks
- Swindle
- Scam
- Scheme
- Promoter
- Police
- Con-game
- Con-artist
- Con/scam
- Cop
- Fake
- Expose [revelation]
- America
