 | Back Page (1934) (BluRay)
Jerry Hampden, a young female reporter for a large newspaper, comes up with her first scoop - a suicide precipitated by a lover who lost interest. The publisher nixes the story because the perpetrator is the influential owner of a large department store chain. When she lets the publisher know her displeasure, she is canned on the spot. Needing a job somewhere far from the city, her beau sets her up with an offer to be an editor for a small town newspaper, the Advocate in Apex, California. Her first name of Jerry gets her in the door for an interview. The Advocate's owner, Sam Webster, is not pleased to see that he has offered the editor position to a woman. She lets him know that she is the "best editor in the world", that he would do well to let her have a month's trial. He agrees. She is able to turn the tide on paper's ledger. There is a big story brewing in the community. Many people have invested in a wildcat oil well drilling. The local banker has drawn in many local investors in return form a share of the investment funds. He fully expects the well to fail. Much to his surprise, the well hits a strong pocket of oil. He tries to suppress news of the discovery while he tries to quietly buy back some of the shares. Jerry blows the lid off his scheme. He threatens to take over the newspaper from Sam. But Jerry has the upper hand. Part of the oil take-over scheme is the same department store owner whose story led to her firing. In addition, she has evidence of a false report of the well failing on bank stationery. The two shysters are forced to sign agreements that will help the locals, not exploit them.
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