Larceny, Inc *** (1942, Edward G Robinson, Jane Wyman, Broderick Crawford, Edward Brophy, Anthony Quinn, Jack Carson, Harry Davenport) – Classic Movie Review 7297

Director Lloyd Bacon’s 1942 Warner Bros crime comedy Larceny, Inc stars Edward G Robinson, who gives yet another bright and breezy performance in this lighthearted gangster spoof based on Laura Perelman and S J Perelman’s play The Night Before Christmas.

Robinson plays ‘Pressure’ Maxwell, a paroled hood, who prefers a life of crime to a life of honesty, and plans to burrow into a bank with the help of bumbling crooks Jug Martin and Weepy Davis (Broderick Crawford and Edward Brophy) after buying the store next door. Jane Wyman causes a few hearts to flutter as Denny Costello while Anthony Quinn lurks villainously in the background as Leo Dexter.

The plot is both so-so and lamely soft centred, and the dialogue mostly lacks the sharp wit expected of S J Perelman. But the smart performances by an above-average cast and Bacon’s swift direction still keep it fun and snappy anyway.

The screenplay is by Everett Freeman and Edwin Gilbert, and the black and white cinematography is by Tony Gaudio.

Larceny, Inc also features Jack Carson, Harry Davenport, John Qualen, Jackie Gleason, Barbara Jo Allen [Vera Vague], Grant Mitchell, Andrew Tombes, Joseph Downing, George Meeker, Fortunio Bonanova, Chester Clute, Joseph Creehan, Creighton Hale and Emory Parnell.

It is on DVD on the Warner Gangsters Collection 4 [DVD] [2008] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC].

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7297

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