Edward G. Robinson shines in this unusual picture about Johnny Sarto, a mob boss who's greatest desire is to live in "real class"--a goal shared by so many self-made men. After making his fortune in the rackets, he departs for Europe, to live high on the hog and enjoy the first-class life. But, at every turn, it eludes him.
Out of money, he returns to his native land, to find his #2 man (Humphrey Bogart) has usurped his position, and is willing to kill to keep it. Wounded and on the lam, he winds up at a monastery, where he is nursed back to health.
Amongst the servants of God, he is tutored in the gentle arts of sharing and self-sacrifice. In one touching moment, the brothers are elated that the sales of their flowers will earn them a little extra money to buy a watermelon for dessert. A moment later, when the same money is spent to buy shoes for a local child, Sarto asks about the expected watermelon. "Watermelon?" Brother Superior (Donald Crisp) says in shock, "I never developed a taste for it!" Sarto (Robinson) slowly smiles, "I get it...".
Lured back to his old life by a newspaper headline detailing his fiancee (Ann Sothern)'s betrothal to a Texas cowboy (Ralph Bellamy) Robinson sets matters straight, and shows much of the same self-sacrifice he has learned in his 'retirement'. In one touching scene, he gives all of his money to cleaning woman and walks away without a cent to his name.
It's easy--and incorrect--to see this as a 'gangster movie' when the real purpose is to show the value of good works. While set in a film-noir world, Brother Orchid is an enchanting lesson about how the simple things in life are the best. As Robinson remarks in the final scene, "I always thought class came with having the right clothes or the right car. But this--this is the REAL class!"
Out of money, he returns to his native land, to find his #2 man (Humphrey Bogart) has usurped his position, and is willing to kill to keep it. Wounded and on the lam, he winds up at a monastery, where he is nursed back to health.
Amongst the servants of God, he is tutored in the gentle arts of sharing and self-sacrifice. In one touching moment, the brothers are elated that the sales of their flowers will earn them a little extra money to buy a watermelon for dessert. A moment later, when the same money is spent to buy shoes for a local child, Sarto asks about the expected watermelon. "Watermelon?" Brother Superior (Donald Crisp) says in shock, "I never developed a taste for it!" Sarto (Robinson) slowly smiles, "I get it...".
Lured back to his old life by a newspaper headline detailing his fiancee (Ann Sothern)'s betrothal to a Texas cowboy (Ralph Bellamy) Robinson sets matters straight, and shows much of the same self-sacrifice he has learned in his 'retirement'. In one touching scene, he gives all of his money to cleaning woman and walks away without a cent to his name.
It's easy--and incorrect--to see this as a 'gangster movie' when the real purpose is to show the value of good works. While set in a film-noir world, Brother Orchid is an enchanting lesson about how the simple things in life are the best. As Robinson remarks in the final scene, "I always thought class came with having the right clothes or the right car. But this--this is the REAL class!"