MR SOFT TOUCH
US, 1949, 93 minutes, Black and white.
Glenn Ford, Evelyn Keyes, John Ireland, Beulah Bondi, Percy Kilbride, Ted De Corsia, Stanley Clements.
Directed by Gordon Douglas, Henry Levin.
Mr Soft Touch is one of those pleasant comedy dramas that the studios produced in the late 40s and early 50s with such popular stars as William Holden and Glenn Ford.
This film has two directors, Gordon Douglas who directed comedies and musicals, later tough dramas, and Henry Levin who directed a whole range of films in his career. The film has a gangster theme but is also, as indicated by the title, a rather softer comedy side.
The action takes place around Christmas, Glenn Ford playing Joe, a decorated veteran of World War II, robbing a club that he had founded but which had been taken over by gangsters. He plans to sail from the United States. However, he has to wait two days, tries to spend the time in prison to avoid pursuit, encounters a young woman working at the house for homeless (Evelyn Keyes) – and some tough kids, Beulah Bondi as one of the helpers, Percy Kilbride doing a kind of Pa Kettle as an eccentric border..
Mr Soft Touch is a do-gooder and provides a whole lot of amenities for the homeless. There is a blend of romance, pursuit by gangsters, shooting. Pleasant, and an unusual Christmas drama.
1. The title? The emphasis on the soft touch? And the contrast with the action of the film, harder touches? The combination of both? The role of having two directors?
2. The New York setting, the late 1940s, the post-war atmosphere, clubs and gangsters, robberies, car chases, the contrast with the outreach for the homeless, the accommodation, offices? The musical score? The atmosphere of the times?
3. The introduction to Joe, the extensive initial chase, the bridge and the toll, pursuit, escaping? Filling in the background of his war service, his loss of the club, the takeover? The death of his partner? His going to the home, support from his partner’s brother, his wife? The arrival of the police – and the humour of the charge of ringing the bell? The wife getting the ticket for the boat? Joe and his having to lie low, trying to get himself arrested with the bell? The police treatment, giving him a chance, Jenny and her intervention, his going to the centre?
4. The Christmas atmosphere of the story? The tree, the young men cutting down the tree in the park? The decorations and Joe helping? The carols? The gifts?
5. Joe, the soft touch, helping with the decorations, the further charity, getting the towels and the bedding, the baths? His having the money? Drawing on it?
6. Jenny, the story of her background, building herself up, giving her life for others, the other ladies on the staff and their collaboration? The old man and the cleaning? The various residents – and the comedy, Percy Kilbride style? The humour with the bed and the blankets? Joe adapting?
7. Jenny, suspicions, the police identifying Joe wrongly? The information from Henry Byrd? Joe’s true identity, his story?
8. The gangsters, the pursuit, Joe and the gun, the confrontations, Jo going to the boss? The violent themes? Henry Byrd setting him up for the story?
9. Jenny, falling in love with Joe, helping him? Her response to the gifts the benefit of the residents?
10. Joe, hiding the money, giving into the little girl, her opening the box, the reaction of the gangsters?
11. The difficulties in the relationship, resolution, dangers, and a happy romantic ending?
