Comments on: Name That Old Film

Question: Name That Old Film

Shane — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 05:35:57 -0800

Name That Film: Black-n-white, I think, maybe set in Prohibition era (U.S.), a comedy about a big, good-natured (but not so bright) fellow who finds work as a loan collector and then somehow gets involved with polticians, finally ending up as a puppet mayor or somesuch (which of course doesn't last long.) Good fun and very cynical (especially for its time.) T'anks!

By: missmerrymack

missmerrymack — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 05:50:47 -0800

It sounds similar to You Can't Beat Love, but in this movie, the good-natured guy who runs for mayor is a lawyer who can't turn down a dare.

By: Shane

Shane — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 05:56:54 -0800

Thanks! But he's not at all the lawyerly type. I should have spelled it out more clearly: He's a good natured thug. He's never a leg-breaker, but he starts off collecting late loan payments by physically threatening the debtors.

By: iconomy

iconomy — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 06:02:13 -0800

How old is it? Is it The Cat's Paw?

By: briank

briank — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 06:05:37 -0800

Is it The Great McGinty?

By: missmerrymack

missmerrymack — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 06:06:21 -0800

Do you remember any of the actors in the film?

By: Shane

Shane — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 06:07:56 -0800

DING! The Great McGinty!

Thanks, briank.

Btw, I highly recommend it. Great ol' flick!

By: pmurray63

pmurray63 — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 12:56:42 -0800

Written and directed by the great Preston Sturges ... and the film that started an incredible five-year popularity streak of some of the funniest movies ever made. Two of the "Great McGinty" characters make cameos in "The Miracle of Morgan's Creek" (which I still don't know how Sturges got past the censors).

By: Shane

Shane — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 17:20:43 -0800

Written and directed by the great Preston Sturges...

Sturges? Very cool, thanks for telling me. I had no idea. I have a copy of Sturges's the Sin of Harold Diddlebock on the shelf, although I like McGinty much better. You've convinced me to get into more Sturges for sure.

By: pmurray63

pmurray63 — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 22:44:17 -0800

"The Lady Eve" and "Sullivan's Travels" are both outstanding, if you're looking for places to start.