Flo Doesn't Know it but She's going to meet "Brother Orchid"

Stormy_Autumn

"Brother Orchid" (1940) is a great little movie directed by Lloyd Bacon. It's a favorite Edward G. Robinson film of mine.

Gangster Little John Sarto leaves the "business" to head for Europe and gain culture. He comes back broke and still uncultured. He wants his "girfriend" and his "business" back. Well, Flo, the girlfriend, wants a wedding. Jack Buck and the fellas who took over the "business" don't want to give it back...or even share! So Johnny gets together with Willie the Knife (his only friend from the old gang). Willie knows who else is loyal and Little John starts over. Pretty soon he giving the old gang a real run for their money. It's needless to say that Buck and the boys are feeling bad about this turn of events.

Flo goes to talk to Buck hoping to get him and Sarto talking. She, and her Montana cowboy, are used to pull Johnny into a trap. Johnny and Buck are to meet alone "Fat Dutches" for drinks and a meeting. Key word is "alone".

Flo delivers Johnny not knowing Buck and his buddies have plans for Johnny. In a matter of minutes John has been escorted to a car and is driven away to a quiet, out of the way spot. This does not sound good.

John knows he must escape. This won't be easy. He's found badly injured outside a monastery where the monks, some who have lived worldly lives, have retired to God and quiet solitude as they grow flower garden's.

John is well taken care of and decides to stay (for awhile, at least). But it's to use these innocents as a great hiding place...and take advantage of anyone and everyone. Well, maybe these people will rub off on him? Yeah, right...

Meanwhile, Flo is marrying that Montana rancher. Johnny sees the paper account while the monks are wrapping flowers for market. He asks to ride into town. Brother Superior OK's it.

When they arrive in town, Johnny takes off. He talks to Flo who calls off her wedding. When he sees the good Brother again, Johnny notes the gentle man seems a down. Then he sees the flowers still in the truck. "Why?" he asks. The answer is the protection agency. Johnny knows it by the name of "Jack Buck".

At this point you may wonder what will happen next. I mean you know Sarto isn't going to allow his friends to be hurt. But, will Sarto supposedly dead, who's going to help get things straightened out? Hmmmmmmm...why not check out the whole story?

This is a great cast for this little Crime/Comedy/Drama Film. Edward G. Robinson as Little John T. 'Johnny' Sarto; Ann Sothern as Flo Addams; Humphrey Bogart as Jack Buck; Donald Crisp as Brother Superior; Ralph Bellamy as Clarence P. Fletcher; Allen Jenkins as Willie 'The Knife' Corson; Charles D. Brown as Brother Wren and Cecil Kellaway as Brother Goodwin.

score /10

Stormy_Autumn 24 June 2007

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw1680046/