Putting Gags To Gangland

Robinson's Mob Makes Merry in Brother Orchid (1940)

Eddie Robinson quits the rackets (what, again?), gets a heave from successor Humphrey Bogart when he wants back in. A second half of Brother Orchid puts E.G. in a monastery, about which I always had mixed emotion, but gang yarns needed variation by '40 juncture more than even crowd-pleasing, and besides, this was meant to be a comedy. A first act rehashes The Little Giant from 1933, more humor and energy evidenced there, but good moments occur throughout Brother Orchid, especially when Bogie takes Eddie for a "ride," or a sock finish where the two (or their doubles) brawl like B-westerners. We could believe in Robinson going gentle; indeed, he'd beard up to discover serums and telegraphy around a same time as Brother Orchid. This was an actor too good for formula waste, but the 40's eased Robinson to character parts in A's even as he continued packing rods for lesser leads. Warners knew by 1940 that safe route to further crime pics was tough guys on the side of law or spoofing stuff they'd done in free-wheeling early 30's. Bogart was able to extend the hoodlum's life as doomed and tragic figure, re High Sierra and humbler The Big Shot, these coming a year and two, respectively after Brother Orchid. Latter is available on DVD, and plays Warner Instant in HD.