As is tradition, this head cold is spent sleeping and watching movies – so last night we watched THE LADY AND THE MOB (1939). Featuring a cast of an old lady and six mugs, she observes the beginnings of a protection racket, and, noting its economic impact on herself, demands the authorities remove the racket. They prove dilatory, so she pursues the problem herself, sending for help from a formerly unsavory character. Beatings are administered, cars dash about emitting terrible clouds of smoke, we have a torture scene with a most terrifying denouement, the lady makes jail, but not bail, and the final corruption is rooted out. And the introductory kiss …. I do believe the fellow is rooting around for gold down there.
What a little gem!
The star of the show is Fay Bainter, who is new to me. IMDB claims she was born in 1893, so she was only 45-46 for this performance – but the makeup artists achieve the level of a 75 year old lady. Strong, decisive, oblivious to collateral damage, and taking delight in what she’s doing, she achieves the charisma demanded by her role. She may, indeed, beat the rap.
The balance of the cast, aside from Ida Lupino, are character actors who know their requirements and fulfill them well, to excellent results; Ida’s part could have been stronger, but she has not enough lines to really do anything but a bit of flash, which is a pity. The cinematography is adequate, the script is very good, the dialogue is mostly spot-on, although sometimes the mugs get to be a little much.
Recommended.
P.S. There are two cars involved in this movie, and the first appears to be … electric!
