The Irish in Us *** (1935, James Cagney, Pat O’Brien, Olivia de Havilland) – Classic Movie Review 10,092

Director Lloyd Bacon’s 1935 comedy drama The Irish in Us is based on a story by Frank Orsatti about an Irish family, and stars James Cagney, Pat O’Brien, Olivia de Havilland, Mary Gordon, Frank McHugh and Allen Jenkins.

In Manhattan’s lower east side, Irish mother Mrs O’Hara (Gordon) loves her tough lads –boxing promoter Danny O’Hara (Cagney), police officer Pat O’Hara (O’Brien) and fireman Mike O’Hara (McHugh). Danny (Cagney) fights for the hand of the lovely Lucille Jackson (de Havilland), the admiration of his brother Pat O’Hara (O’Brien), and again in the ring when his sappy boxing protégé Carbarn Hammerschlog (Jenkins) gets drunk.

Pat wants Danny to get a better job to support Ma O’Hara after Pat marries Lucille, who then falls for the charismatic Danny.

There is nifty footwork all round in this sometimes rather soppy comedy drama, but it has warmth and appeal, and it’s the good cast, especially Cagney and O’Brien, who really lift its game.

Also in the cast are J Farrell MacDonald as Captain Jackson, Thomas E. Jackson as Doc Mullins, Harvey Parry as Joe Delancy, Mabel Colcord, Bess Flowers, Jack McHugh, Mushy Callahan, Emmett Vogan, Edward Gargan, Huntley Gordon, Will Stanton and Harry Seymour.

Alibi Ike (1935) was Olivia de Havilland’s first released feature film, though she had made two films released later that year – The Irish in Us and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The Irish in Us is directed by Lloyd Bacon, runs 84 minutes, is made by First National, is released by Warner Bros, is written by Earl Baldwin, based on a story by Frank Orsatti, is shot in black and white by George Barnes, is produced by Samuel Bischoff, is scored by Leo F Forbstein (musical director), with production designs by Esdras Hartley.

RIP Dame Olivia Mary de Havilland DBE (1 July 1916 – 26 July 2020), one of the leading actresses of her time (1935 to 1988), who appeared in 49 feature films.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,092

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