Black Legion
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Movie Reviews of Black Legion
Movie Review: "Black Legion (1937) ... Humphrey Bogart ... Archie Mayo (2008)"
Summary: 4 Stars
Warner Bros. Pictures presents "BLACK LEGION" (1937) (83 min/B&W) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) -- Starring Humphrey Bogart, Dick Foran, Erin O'Brien-Moore, Ann Sheridan, Helen Flint & Joe Sawyer
Directed by Archibald L. Mayo
In this film Bogey's character, Frank Taylor, moves from a happily married family man, to a man filled with hate and finally to a man remorseful for the trouble he has brought upon himself and others.
The subject of prejudice and hate organizations in a major studio production was quite daring for the 30s, given the introduction of the Production Code only a few years earlier. It still delivers a powerful message today.
Warner Bros needed an actor that looked like an average "American" due to it's controversial subject matter, Bogie got his lead in Black Legion. He turned in a magnificent performance with his final scene in the courtroom during his trial.
The supporting cast, which also includes a young Ann Sheridan as Foran's fiancee, all give good performances as well. The film is tough, presents a hate group as frankly as a Warner's 1930's film could, delivers its message well.
Strong performances by the principals, tight direction by Archie Mayo and the usual Warner Bros. grit make for a first-rate film.
BIOS:
1. Archibald L. Mayo
Date of Birth: 29 January 1891 - New York City, New York
Date of Death: 4 December 1968 - Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
2. Humphrey Bogart
Date of Birth: 25 December 1899 - New York City, New York
Date of Death: 14 January 1957 - Los Angeles, California
Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 4 Stars
Performance: 5 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]
Total Time: 83 min on DVD ~ Warner Bros. Pictures ~ (03/25/2008)
Movie Review: Warner's social drama but not very good
Summary: 3 Stars
In 1937, Warner Brothers continued their crusade on social issues with the release of "Black Legion", a powerful story of fascist vigilantes, clearly based on the Klu Klux Klan.
The films stars Humphrey Bogart as a happily married factory worker who misses a promotion and takes revenge. Bogart works hard to overcome an unsubtle and trite script which draws 2 dimensional characters. The cliched "happy home life" is particularly awful. The young Ann Sheridan appears as the girl next door and she is appealing. Dick Foran is very good as the worker who refuses to join the clan. The vigilante scenes are much more convincing then the domestic ones but more for what they are depicting than due to any imagination in Archie Mayo's journeyman direction.
The print of the DVD is excellent and there is a good commentary shared between 2 relaxed historians. Warners's night at the Movies is included with an entertaining short featuring the band leader Cab Calloway, a highly individual performer with a distinctive unusual singing style. The technicolour short on Stonewall Jackson is poor but 2 future Warner's players appear, Jane Bryan and Wayne Morris. The cartoon features Porky Pig and a goat called Gabby who clearly was scrapped - shrill and aggressive. The DVD is good value as part of the Warner's Gangster Set Volume 3.
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