Main Cast: Edward G. Robinson, Humphrey Bogart, Donald Crisp, Ralph Bellamy
Release Year: 1940
Country: US
Run Time: 87 minutes
Plot
Edward G. Robinson plays orchid-loving gangster Little John Sarto, who aspires to "real class." During a power struggle with usurping mobster Jack Buck (Humphrey Bogart), Sarto is taken for a one-way ride, but he escapes his would-be assassins and hides out in a monastery overseen by Brother Superior (Donald Crisp). Sarto insists that he'd like to become a monk himself, but in fact he's using the monastery as a hideout, the better to mount his counterattack against Buck. Eventually Sarto's resolve is weakened by the kindness of the monks, and he decides to turn over a new leaf. He sees to it that Buck is brought to justice, and also fixes up his true-blue "moll," Flo Addams (Ann Sothern), with good-hearted Texas rancher Clarence Fletcher (Ralph Bellamy). (News flash! Bellamy gets the girl for once!) Sarto, now known as "Brother Orchid," returns to the monastery for good, declaring that he's finally found the real class. Though Edward G. Robinson didn't want to play another gangster, he agreed to star in Brother Orchid in exchange for being allowed to essay the lead in Warner Bros.' historical drama A Dispatch From Reuter's (1940). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Brother Orchid ends up being an enjoyable flick, but it does so in spite of a number of flaws. Orchid's major problem is that it tries to be both a comedy and drama and the strain of trying to reconcile these conflicting genres is a bit much. It's certainly not impossible to do this, of course, as any number of films have demonstrated. But Orchid's comedy is of the wrong style; it's cartoonish, but not outlandish enough to create a reality of its own. Thus, the characters seem to exist in two separate worlds. Director Lloyd Bacon does what he can to make the contrasting styles work, and he does succeed to a degree. What's needed, however, is a stronger vision that transcends the genre limitations of each style and creates a style of its own, and here he falls a bit short. The cast, however, is Orchid's saving grace. Some of the performers are fortunate and are only called upon to play in either a dramatic mode (Humphrey Bogart, Donald Crisp) or a comedic mode (Allen Jenkins, Ralph Bellamy), and they do so quite winningly. Edward G. Robinson and Ann Sothern, however, have to play both sides of the fence. Fortunately, they do so like the consummate pros they are, with both turning in performances that are first-rate. They're wonderful company to be with, and they push Orchid into the winner's circle. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Max Parker - Art Director, Mark Hellinger - Associate Producer, Howard Shoup - Costume Designer, Dick Mayberry - First Assistant Director, Lloyd Bacon - Director, William Holmes - Editor, Heinz Roemheld - Composer (Music Score), Perc Westmore - Makeup, Tony Gaudio - Cinematographer, Hal B. Wallis - Producer, Edwin DuPar - Special Effects, Byron Haskin - Special Effects, Willard Van Enger - Special Effects, Richard Connell - Screen Story, Earl W. Baldwin - Screenwriter, Richard Connell - Play Author
Crime boss John Sarto (Edward G. Robinson) retires suddenly, giving leadership of his gang to Jack Buck (Humphrey Bogart), while he leaves for a tour of Europe to acquire "class". However, Sarto is repeatedly swindled and finally loses all his money.
He decides to return home and take back his gang, as if nothing has changed after five years, but Buck has him thrown out of his office. The only ones who remain loyal to Sarto are his girlfriend Flo Addams (Ann Sothern) and Willie 'the Knife' Corson (Allen Jenkins). Sarto raises a new gang and starts encroaching on Buck's territory.
When Flo tries to get Buck to reconcile with Sarto, Buck sees his chance. He agrees, getting Flo to lure Sarto to a tavern without telling him why. Flo is not totally fooled; she brings along a strong, good-natured admirer, mid-western rancher Clarence P. Fletcher (Ralph Bellamy), just in case, but he is knocked out by Buck's men. Sarto is taken for a ride, believing Flo has double crossed him.
Sarto escapes, but is shot several times. He manages to make his way to the Floracian Monastery, run by Brother Superior (Donald Crisp). Finding it a good place to hide out, Sarto signs up as a novice, naming himself "Brother Orchid". At first, he treats it as a joke, calling the monks the "biggest chumps in the world", but the kindness and simple life of the brothers begins to change his opinion.
Then Sarto sees a newspaper announcement that Flo is going to marry Clarence. He rides into the city with Brother Superior when he goes to sell the flowers that provide the monastery's meager income. After Flo gets over the shock of seeing Sarto alive, she gives him proof that she did not betray him and agrees to break up with Clarence.
Sarto breaks the news to Brother Superior that he is leaving, but then learns that the flowers have not been sold. The "protective association" run by Buck bans flower growers that do not pay for its services. Buck is hiding out from the police, but Sarto has a good idea where he is. Reinforced by Clarence and some of his friends from Montana, Sarto pays a visit to the association and a brawl breaks out. When the police arrive, Sarto presents them with Buck and his men. Then, he gives up Flo to Clarence and returns to the monastery, where he has finally found class.
