Harry Drake is a close friend and mentor to Susie Myerson who gives important advice when she starts out as a manager. His death is explored during Susie’s ‘testi-roastial’ dinner. The character is played by David Paymer.
Harry Drake is initially an adversary who blacklists Midge and Susie from all New York comedy clubs and even sends some mobsters after Susie to silence her after Midge rips through Sophie Lennon’s act.
At that point, Sophie was one of Harry’s clients and he was in the audience when Midge exposed Sophie’s secret. he eventually warms up to Susie and even helps her out when she takes on Sophie as a client.
During Susie’s testi-roastial dinner, one of Harry’s proteges talks about Harry’s death, and the others discuss how Susie ended up with his highest-earning clients over his own people.
The last one by his side
Several theories are thrown around about the cutthroat nature in which Susie pushed Harry to sign over all of his clients given how she operates. One person mentions that she had him signing documents on his deathbed while her guards didn’t even let his family inside.
Another theory was that she made a deal with Harry’s daughter to get all of his clients and paid her in cash right there in front of Harry. However, the truth turns out to be a lot more heartwarming than all the theories.
Towards the end of Harry Drake’s career, he was betrayed by most of the people around him except for Susie. She was loyal and stuck with him till the end, literally.
While he was in the hospital, Susie sat with him and he informed her that he was signing over his clients with approval from his lawyers as well. She politely declines but he insists that she’s the best person to take them on.
They then enjoy a silent film together before Harry breathes his last breath. In his final moments, he assumes that Susie is his daughter who didn’t show up, and Susie plays along so that Harry can leave without that disappointment.
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