Gentleman's Fate is a fairly late vehicle for John Gilbert, but he's still in fine form here. Most of Gilbert's latter movies are bad, but I think this is an exception, although I may be in the minority. It is famously known that Louis Mayer "destroyed" Gilbert's career after Gilbert punched him out -- when Mayer made a snide remark at a wedding ceremony (at the Hearst mansion no less) where Greta Garbo stood up Gilbert. If so, I think Mayer did less sabotaging of Gentleman's Fate than in Gilbert's other late movies.
Gilbert is a love-struck gentleman, just about to get married, when he suddenly learns that he has a father and brother, who turn out to be mob bosses. Gilbert's father is now dying and he wants to see the son he has shielded from the family business all his life.
A shocked Gilbert is forced to take a short rap for his dying dad. He loses his fiance in the process and his dad dies just before he's released. Gilbert initially rejects his brother and the family business, but quickly changes his mind and joins him after losing his fiance. Just like in The Godfather the younger brother gets progressively drawn into mob life.
Anita Page makes a late appearance as a mob moll who Gilbert falls for and then marries on the rebound after learning of his former fiance's marriage. No happy ending though, as he winds up getting plugged protecting her from a mob hit.
Overall a very solid effort, worth a 7.
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