Man About Town on AllMovie

Man About Town owns the distinction of being the first espionage film ever set in contemporary America. Warner Baxter stars as Stephen Morrow, an embryonic James Bond who doubles as a gambler and secret agent. The scion of a wealthy Washington family, Morrow is ordered by the government to set up a gambling establishment, the better to attract possible enemy spies. The plot segues into a romantic triangle, with Budapest native Helena (Karen Morley) coming between Morrow and his old friend, British ambassador Bob Ashley (Conway Tearle). One thing leads to another, and by film's end Helena has murdered a slimy blackmailer-spy to protect the reputation of her younger sister (an outtake of this scene exists, with Karen Morley dropping character when her prop gun fails to work). One hopes that the original Denison Clift novel wasn't as confusing as this film.