MANPOWER

US, 1941, 103 minutes, Black and white.
Edward G. Robinson, George Raft, Marlene Dietrich, Alan Hale, Frank Mc Hugh, Eve Arden, Barton Mac Lane, Ward Bond.
Directed by Raoul Walsh.

Manpower is a rough-house comedy-drama of the early '40s, done with the usual Warner Bros style and directed by tough director, Raoul Walsh. It is a star vehicle for Edward G. Robinson, who plays an ambiguous role - genial, emotional, but ultimately a tragic figure. He contrasts with George Raft as his friend, the suave type.

The film is offbeat in its casting of Marlene Dietrich as Fay, who works as a hostess in one of the many bars of the period - euphemistically presented as a hostess.

The story is one of men who work on power lines, enjoy male company and relaxation, especially in bars. Frank Mc Hugh and Alan Hale are amongst the regulars portraying the group of linesmen. Eve Arden has a small role as one of the hostesses in the club.

The film is very much geared to the male audience, identification with the strong and tough types, relationships and romance, disillusionment - and Marlene Dietrich as the bad girl who tries to make good. Very much of its period.

1.Entertaining melodrama, touches of comedy and tragedy? Amongst American workers of the early '40s?

2.Warner Bros production values, black and white photography, sets, locations? Special effects for storm and power disasters? The atmosphere of California, the world of the workers? Musical score?

3.The title, the work of the men, the focus of the men, male camaraderie, relationships with women?

4.Hank and Edward G. Robinson - unlikely hero? Genial and friendly, pals with Johnny? His relationship with the rest of the group? Hard work? Going to the clubs, dancing with the hostesses? The seemingly innocent presentation of the men and the women in those days? Tough decisions, hard work, accidents? Hank's accident, Johnny helping him to come back to life? The encounter with Fay, the infatuation, knowing the truth about her? His proposal, her resistance? The wedding, his getting drunk, collapse? Johnny's presence in the house, his not relating well to Fay - and her not responding in love to him? With the men, the work? Friendly? The final crisis, wanting Fay to come, finding her, misinterpreting Johnny's desire to move on? Climbing the power line, the fight, his death - and his calm reconciliation with everyone? Hollywood hero?

5.Johnny, the contrast of George Raft with Edward G. Robinson? As a worker, getting along with the men, with the hostesses? The friendship with Fay's father, meeting her as she came out of jail? The antagonism? His infatuation with her? Trying to warn Hank, going along with the wedding - but trying to buy Fay off? In the house? His own injuries and hospital? The encounter with Fay and her leaving Hank, forcing her back? Her explanation of her love for him? The resignation, going up the line - the confrontation with Hanak, the fight, his trying to save Hank from falling? The reconciliation - and not going in the bus but staying with Fay?

6.Fay, the background of the hostesses, the raids by the police, jail? Her tough life, resentment of her father? Attraction to Johnny, the friendship with Hank, his charm, genial, proposing marriage? Not being bought off by Johnny? Her decision to leave, Smiley and the girls helping her, the raid? Johnny getting her out of prison? Going to the disaster site? Her impassioned speech to Johnny, Hank's death, the reconciliation, staying with Johnny?

7.The sketch of the men - and Warner Bros' support team - their comic style, Jumbo telling the jokes, songs and dances, wisecracks, the male workers of the time, the hard life and work, relationships?

8.The world of the hostesses, the hard work, the men, money, the confidence jobs? Smiley and the girls?

9.Popular ingredients for a tough type of film of the period?