THE HOODLUM SAINT
(M-G-M)
AN overseas critic described this as a "queer, tasteless mixture of finance, romance, and religion." I partly disagree. The Hooddum Saint is not tasteless:
on the contrary, it has a very strong taste, even (I think this is not going too far) a rankly offensive one. In the words of one of the characters, it is "sorta risky foolin’ around with religion" at any time; with luck and some sincerity the cinema may get away with it in a Bernadette or even a Going My Way; but when a producer shows such rotten bad judgment as is exhibited here, I find it hard to express my disapproval strongly enough. And my dislike is not dependent on any sectarian issue. Quite apart from anything else, this is a dreary, badly-acted, and ineptly-directed picture. So far as one can make out, the story is intended to be an indictment of those people who exploit simple religious faith for the sake of financial gain (well, if it comes to that, what were the producers doing in this very picture?) William Powell is seen-most regrettably, for he was once a good actor-in the role of a journalist turned financier who, finding himself embarrassed by some sociallyinferior friends, tricks the simple fellows into believing in a miracle and thus starts the cult of St. Dismas, the Penitent Thief. Conversion goes on apace; many of the tough guys of the neighbourhood turn over a new leaf and contribute their dollars to the St. Dismas Fund. However, the hero remains a cynic until he discovers that some people as unregenerate as himself are transforming the cult he has founded into a racket. Thereupon he is stricken with remorse and goes down on his knees to the Saint, his change of heart being immediately rewarded by a turn for the better in his financial affairs and the reappearance of his lady-love. Well, well, so it’s as easy as that! Everything about this film is ill-con-sidered. Esther Williams, the heroine, is a swimming champion who looks her best ina bathing-suit, but who is here given the chance to do nothing but act, which she doesn’t do very well. The "other woman" is Angela Lansbury, about whom I feel it would be generous to say
nothing.
G.
M.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19460906.2.66.3
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 15, Issue 376, 6 September 1946, Page 33
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382THE HOODLUM SAINT New Zealand Listener, Volume 15, Issue 376, 6 September 1946, Page 33
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Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
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