MADE DURING THE great, Golden Age of the Sound movie, this is a great example of Warner Brothers at the zenith of its production machine. Not so coincidentally, it was during the first year of our (the USA's) official involvement in World War II.
WE SEE FROM the credits that this is a film that was adapted from a stage-play. This was not an unusual method of movie-making then, nor is it now. Adaptation of even plays that were considered to be unsuccessful for not having been produced often led to what would be considered to be at least a passable motion picture. We do seem to recall that Warners bought the rights to one here to for unheard of play called EVERYONE COMES TO RICK'S. The play was adapted without any pretensions of being a major motion picture into CASABLANCA (Warner Brothers, 1942). Ever hear of it Schultz?
SO IT WAS with that same sort of casual attitude that the studio adopted in its prosecution of this story. It was just to be another of the yearly output. This was a policy that was wisely followed and insured that a great and entertaining roster of pictures would guarantee moviegoers of America and the World would get their money's worth on "Movie Night" at the local movie houses.
IN EXAMINING AND dissecting the very crux of LARCENY INC., we find a certain adherence to formula. Basically speaking, they take a preexisting story and bring it to the celluloid medium via their employing the roster of contract players to deliver the finished product. On the top spot in billing, we have Edward G. Robinson as the proverbial crook with the heart of gold. His support is furnished by folks like: Jane Wyman (then Mrs. Ronald Reagan), Jack Carson, Broderick Crawford, Ed Brophy, John Qualen, Barbara Jo Allen, Grant Mitchell and others; including young Anthony Quinn and Jackie Gleason.
THE STORY's PLOT is kind of old hat, even having whiskers then. Simply stated, a group of hardened (but with hearts of Gold) ex-cons plot to open a luggage shop as a means of using the cellar as a venue to tunnel into the bank vault adjacent to the storefront. But things go wrong as the new business turns out to be quite lucrative, as well as its being strictly legit.
IN THE END (of course) the gang opts for staying in the luggage business. Chalk this up to the State Pen's Correctional system!
ANOTHER ASPECT THAT we must consider is that of "the comical and lovable" good crook. In this they area, the movie's pedigree can also be traced to folks like Damon Runyan; who made a living by turning out tales of members of the underworld, whom he romanticized.
WE CERTAINLY ARE not suggesting that one should skip getting the chance to screen this whenever it shows up. It is a delight in the development of character and in the interplay between the thugs. Jack Carson, Broderick and Edward Brophy tend to steal many a scene and Jane Wyman provides us with a fine, if somewhat diminutively crafted role.
BUT TO US, both Schultz and I agree that it is a testament to the versatility of Edward G. Robinson. Sometimes it's difficult to believe that such a brilliant comedy role is done so well by one who is a virtuoso dramatic actor and an iconic figure in Hollywood history.
WE SEE FROM the credits that this is a film that was adapted from a stage-play. This was not an unusual method of movie-making then, nor is it now. Adaptation of even plays that were considered to be unsuccessful for not having been produced often led to what would be considered to be at least a passable motion picture. We do seem to recall that Warners bought the rights to one here to for unheard of play called EVERYONE COMES TO RICK'S. The play was adapted without any pretensions of being a major motion picture into CASABLANCA (Warner Brothers, 1942). Ever hear of it Schultz?
SO IT WAS with that same sort of casual attitude that the studio adopted in its prosecution of this story. It was just to be another of the yearly output. This was a policy that was wisely followed and insured that a great and entertaining roster of pictures would guarantee moviegoers of America and the World would get their money's worth on "Movie Night" at the local movie houses.
IN EXAMINING AND dissecting the very crux of LARCENY INC., we find a certain adherence to formula. Basically speaking, they take a preexisting story and bring it to the celluloid medium via their employing the roster of contract players to deliver the finished product. On the top spot in billing, we have Edward G. Robinson as the proverbial crook with the heart of gold. His support is furnished by folks like: Jane Wyman (then Mrs. Ronald Reagan), Jack Carson, Broderick Crawford, Ed Brophy, John Qualen, Barbara Jo Allen, Grant Mitchell and others; including young Anthony Quinn and Jackie Gleason.
THE STORY's PLOT is kind of old hat, even having whiskers then. Simply stated, a group of hardened (but with hearts of Gold) ex-cons plot to open a luggage shop as a means of using the cellar as a venue to tunnel into the bank vault adjacent to the storefront. But things go wrong as the new business turns out to be quite lucrative, as well as its being strictly legit.
IN THE END (of course) the gang opts for staying in the luggage business. Chalk this up to the State Pen's Correctional system!
ANOTHER ASPECT THAT we must consider is that of "the comical and lovable" good crook. In this they area, the movie's pedigree can also be traced to folks like Damon Runyan; who made a living by turning out tales of members of the underworld, whom he romanticized.
WE CERTAINLY ARE not suggesting that one should skip getting the chance to screen this whenever it shows up. It is a delight in the development of character and in the interplay between the thugs. Jack Carson, Broderick and Edward Brophy tend to steal many a scene and Jane Wyman provides us with a fine, if somewhat diminutively crafted role.
BUT TO US, both Schultz and I agree that it is a testament to the versatility of Edward G. Robinson. Sometimes it's difficult to believe that such a brilliant comedy role is done so well by one who is a virtuoso dramatic actor and an iconic figure in Hollywood history.