After being acquitted of murder charges for which he was framed by Pete Manning, suave Chicago gangster Ace Corbin decides to reform and begin a new life in California. On the train he falls in love with Eleanor La Velle, a gambler's moll, but both conceal their true identities and adopt aliases. In Southern California, Eleanor disovers that her lover, Joe Burke, owner of the Casino Del Mar steamer, which operates a casino legally outside the three-mile limit from the harbor, is in debt for $9,000 because Pete Manning's thugs are ruining his business. Eleanor chooses to remain loyal and help Joe, rather than desert him for Ace. Joe and his sidekick Blooey offer to turn over the casino to Ace so he can improve business and seek vengeance on Manning. Ace resists becoming involved until Manning's men threaten him. When Ace runs the casino he thwarts Manning's customers by commandeering the water taxis over to his ship. The first evening, Ace encounters Eleanor on board, and she discovers his true identity. Still in love with him, Eleanor remains even after Manning's men cause an explosion and fire. After the customers have left and the fire is out, Ace and Eleanor remain on board for the night. In the morning, the district attorney interrogates them, and Ace discovers Eleanor's identity, including her relationship with Joe. Also in attendance is Joe, who likewise discovers Ace and Eleanor's relationship. Back aboard the casino during a storm, Joe and Ace accuse Eleanor of being a two-timer. Manning and his gang sneak in and kill Joe. Blooey releases the anchor, and the crashing waves wash Manning's gang off deck. Ace, Blooey and Eleanor jump to safety with life preservers. On a train again, Ace and Eleanor have been married and are blissfully content.

Director:
Louis Gasnier	Director
Max Marcin	Director
Jack Mintz	Assistant Director
Cast:
Cary Grant	as Ace Corbin
Benita Hume	as Eleanor La Velle
Jack La Rue	as Pete Manning
Glenda Farrell	as Jeanne Sands
Roscoe Karns	as Blooey
Arthur Vinton	as Joe Burke
Charles Williams	as Baby Face
Edwin Maxwell	as District Attorney
Spencer Charters	as First detective
Kate Campbell	as Woman detective
Edward Gargan	as First deputy
Sid Saylor	as The sailor
Harry Shutan	as First gunman
Frank Moran	as Second gunman
Otho Wright	as Second detective
Evelyn Selbie	as Indian woman
Jack Grey	as Second deputy
William Welsh	as Conductor
Hooper Atchley	as Doctor
Larry Alexander	as Telephone operator
Louis Natheaux	as Croupier
Gum Chang	as Cook
Cinematography:
Charles Lang	Photography
Robert Pittack	2nd Camera
Cliff Shirpser	Assistant Camera
Writer:
Max Marcin	Screenwriter
Seton I. Miller	Screenwriter
Claude Binyon	Adaptation
Visual Effects:
Farciot Edouart	Special Photography Effects
Dewey Wrigley	Farciot Edouart's assoc
Loyal Griggs	Farciot Edouart's assoc
Al Myers	Farciot Edouart's assoc
Film Production - Main:
Sam Bricker	Props

The four short stories listed above and other stories by Paul Cain serialized in Black Mask magazine were included in the novel Fast One. It is possible that additional stories, such as "The Dark" (Sep 1932) were used as a basis for this film, however only those listed above were credited in the record of Paramount Produced Properties. According to a script in the Paramount story files at the AMPAS Library, written in March 1933, Carole Lombard was considered for the role of Eleanor. Sam Bricker, the properties man, appeared in this film. According to the pressbook, a technical advisor was used to acquaint the actors with the "..details of the parlance, activities and manners of the gambling world." To maintain his anonymity, he was known only as "Mr. 100." Some scenes were shot in San Pedro, CA. At the time of this film, casinos operated legally off the coast of California outside a three-mile radius from the shore.

Based on the short stories "Fast One," "Lead Party," "Velvet" and "The Heat" by Paul Cain in Black Mask (Mar, Apr, Jun and Aug, 1932).