Terry O'Neill is a cynical con man who graduates from penny-ante operations to a big-time charity racket. The scam involves collecting money on behalf of St. Dismas, bringing Powell in close contact with several men of the cloth. As the racket rolls on, Powell is touched by the sincerity of the religious men and the plights of the charity's rightful recipients. He has a change of heart, confessing his original criminal intentions but seeing to it that the money goes to the right people. Hoodlum Saint was typical of the facile religiosity often found in MGM pictures of the period.
Directed by
Norman Taurog
Written by
James Hill (writer); Frank Wead (writer).
Starring
William Powell (Terence Ellerton 'Terry' O'Neill); Esther Williams (Kay Lorrison); Angela Lansbury (Dusty Millard); James Gleason (Snarp); Lewis Stone (Father Nolan); Rags Ragland (Fishface); Frank McHugh (Three Finger); Slim Summerville (Eel); Roman Bohnen (Father O'Doul); Charles Arnt (Cy Nolan, O'Neill's Secretary); Louis Jean Heydt (Mike Flaherty); Charles Trowbridge (Uncle Joe Lorrison); Henry O'Neill (Lewis J. Malbery); William 'Bill' Phillips (Dave Fernby); Matt Moore (Father Duffy). Please contact SFC to add other cast members and characters.
Important: the following essays and comments are authored by Soul Food Cinema readers. Whilst the Editor prays for the spiritual integrity of all content of this site, it should be noted that these represent personal opinions and carry no official endorsement. If you consider any content to be a misrepresentation of Catholic teaching, please contact SFC. May God bless you and enlighten you in your reading.
-
Articles, Essays and Reviews
-
Please contact SFC if you are interested in submitting an essay on this film.
-
Readers' Comments and Opinions
-
Click the link to comment on this film. You may like to copy the film title and year (as given above) to your clipboard now for pasting into the following form.