Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22149 in VHS
• Released on: 1998-04-21
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Formats: Black & White, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 93 minutes

Customer Reviews

Very unusual-a comedy crime movie from John Ford
There was a time when Edward G. Robinson was one of the most imitated personalities of the cinema. His "nyah, nyah, nyah",(his way of saying "I'm not listening to you", acting very sure of himself and behaving quite devilish, being quite the peer of James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart. Most people who know John Ford's work as the man most responsible of making John Wayne a superstar, directing Henry Fonda in some masterpieces and being quite the dramatic director. Here, though, he handles a script by Jo Swerling and Robert Riskin and practically plays it with just as much humor as Frank Capra or Howard Hawks. Robinson is given two parts: that a mild bank clerk who is mistaken as the public enemy, no good killer, also played by Robinson. There's absolutely no sublety in the way he's rousted, with multiple guns pointed at him, that would be enough to spook anybody. I believe this is one of Jean Arthur's first co-starring roles and she's just great. Wallace Ford and Donald Meek add their comedic talents to this. My only real disappointment and I've read the scene where bad Robinson captures the love ones of the good Robinson didn't pass the 30's censors is still missing. This omission causes the ending to get wrapped up rather too quickly. Otherwise, if you're a fan of the thirties, Robinson or Ford, I really think you'd enjoyed this one.

Fun little movie
I saw this in a revival/fundraiser for the Jersey City Lowes, and I have to say it was fun. Actually, Edward G. Robinson plays two roles, and the tough gangster plays second fiddle to the mild mannered clerk he plays. And I also think the sets or building used for his office may have been used later on in the film "Double Indemnity", which he also played a large part in.

funny
Eddie G. gets to show off his huge talent as he plays 2 very different characters, _and_ plays each one imitating the other.