Unholy Partners (1941)
*** (out of 4)
After WW1 newspaperman Bruce Corey (Edward G. Robinson) goes back to his job to try and pitch a job to his boss but he's not interested in the new ideas. In order to start his own paper, Corey starts a partnership with notorious gangster Merrill Lambert (Edward Arnold) and soon he lives to regret it. UNHOLY PARTNERS is a good little melodrama from MGM that manages to get two great actors in strong roles, although I will admit there are some pretty big flaws throughout the picture. The biggest flaw is the entire conflict of interest. I mean, Robinson's character should have known that he wouldn't be able to report certain illegal activities that Lambert is doing so when he starts doing so and the clash happens, the Robinson character seems shocked or pig-headed but what did he expect? Why the character never thought about this before making the deal is certainly a flaw in the writing but it's certainly not big enough to where it destroys the film. The best thing is without question the performances by the two leads. I'm sure reading the plot description that many would think Robinson would be playing the gangster but he was also great at playing the "good" guys just as much as the bad ones. He's quite believable in the part and I really liked the energy he brought the character. Arnold, often a good guy, really gets to shine here as the dangerous mobster and he's quite threatening. Laraine Day makes for a good love interest as does Gail Fenton. William T. Orr plays Robinson's "young" version and is good as well. The film contains a few good twists along the way, some good action, a couple nice laughs and best of all are the performances. UNHOLY PARTNERS isn't a lost classic but if you're a fan of the stars then it's worth watching.
*** (out of 4)
After WW1 newspaperman Bruce Corey (Edward G. Robinson) goes back to his job to try and pitch a job to his boss but he's not interested in the new ideas. In order to start his own paper, Corey starts a partnership with notorious gangster Merrill Lambert (Edward Arnold) and soon he lives to regret it. UNHOLY PARTNERS is a good little melodrama from MGM that manages to get two great actors in strong roles, although I will admit there are some pretty big flaws throughout the picture. The biggest flaw is the entire conflict of interest. I mean, Robinson's character should have known that he wouldn't be able to report certain illegal activities that Lambert is doing so when he starts doing so and the clash happens, the Robinson character seems shocked or pig-headed but what did he expect? Why the character never thought about this before making the deal is certainly a flaw in the writing but it's certainly not big enough to where it destroys the film. The best thing is without question the performances by the two leads. I'm sure reading the plot description that many would think Robinson would be playing the gangster but he was also great at playing the "good" guys just as much as the bad ones. He's quite believable in the part and I really liked the energy he brought the character. Arnold, often a good guy, really gets to shine here as the dangerous mobster and he's quite threatening. Laraine Day makes for a good love interest as does Gail Fenton. William T. Orr plays Robinson's "young" version and is good as well. The film contains a few good twists along the way, some good action, a couple nice laughs and best of all are the performances. UNHOLY PARTNERS isn't a lost classic but if you're a fan of the stars then it's worth watching.