James Cagney is one of Hollywood's true legends, and he's really the only reason to sit through this oft-painful comedy that is more miss than hit.
Lots of familiar Warner's faces in this one, including three brothers, Cagney (the troublemaker boxing promoter), cop Pat O'Brien and fireman Frank McHugh. For some reason they all still live at home with Ma, who's a friendly gal. Cagney takes in a boxer (Allen Jenkins) who goes nuts when he hears bells or sirens.
Mixed in with the plot of Cagney training Jenkins for a big fight, Cagney falls for his brother's (O'Brien) date, Olivia de Havilland, looking quite gorgeous. She in turn falls for him, because what girl wouldn't take Cagney over O'Brien, who always seems to play wallflowers? The bros then have a big spat. O'Brien was even talking marriage with this girl, which was news to her, as they've only known each other a few weeks.
The big problem with "The Irish in Us" is that the comedy is so forced and strained. McHugh and Jenkins especially go way overboard, and are painful to watch as they are obviously trying way too hard. They're usually fantastic as comic relief but too much is simply too much.
Also, Olivia de Havilland is pretty much virtually the only young woman in the movie with lines, with rare exception. Ma gets a real lot of screen time and lines, and some scenes with her are way too long. She's sweet and all that but again, with Ma, too much is too much. Her comedy at the boxing match is also pretty bad.
Cagney though saves the viewing experience even if he can't save the movie, because he's always fun to watch.
You may sit through "The Irish in Us" once, and once will be enough.
Lots of familiar Warner's faces in this one, including three brothers, Cagney (the troublemaker boxing promoter), cop Pat O'Brien and fireman Frank McHugh. For some reason they all still live at home with Ma, who's a friendly gal. Cagney takes in a boxer (Allen Jenkins) who goes nuts when he hears bells or sirens.
Mixed in with the plot of Cagney training Jenkins for a big fight, Cagney falls for his brother's (O'Brien) date, Olivia de Havilland, looking quite gorgeous. She in turn falls for him, because what girl wouldn't take Cagney over O'Brien, who always seems to play wallflowers? The bros then have a big spat. O'Brien was even talking marriage with this girl, which was news to her, as they've only known each other a few weeks.
The big problem with "The Irish in Us" is that the comedy is so forced and strained. McHugh and Jenkins especially go way overboard, and are painful to watch as they are obviously trying way too hard. They're usually fantastic as comic relief but too much is simply too much.
Also, Olivia de Havilland is pretty much virtually the only young woman in the movie with lines, with rare exception. Ma gets a real lot of screen time and lines, and some scenes with her are way too long. She's sweet and all that but again, with Ma, too much is too much. Her comedy at the boxing match is also pretty bad.
Cagney though saves the viewing experience even if he can't save the movie, because he's always fun to watch.
You may sit through "The Irish in Us" once, and once will be enough.