THE PENALTY
US, 1941, 80 minutes, Black and white.
Edward Arnold, Lionel Barrymore, Marsha Hunt, Robert Sterling, Gene Reynolds, Emma Dunn, Veda Ann Borg, Richard Lane, Gloria De Haven, Grant Mitchell, Phil Silvers.
Directed by Harold S. Bucquet.
A surprisingly interesting supporting feature from 1941, MGM production values and cast.
Edward Arnold, who could portray sympathetic characters but who seemed to specialise in heavy (literally heavy) villains, think of It’s a Wonderful Life, plays a scheming and tough bank robber. In fact, the opening sequence where he sympathetically goes to a group of men looking for employment, signs them up, promises the money, goes to the bank to withdraw the money – actually a cover for his robbing the bank and getting away.
On the one hand, he is ruthless. He also has a girlfriend, Veda Ann Borg, but is absolutely devoted to his teenage son, Roosty. Roosty is played by Gene Reynolds and practically steals the whole film, a boy absolutely devoted to his father, knowing who his father was, defending his father, surly towards the police, sent to a juvenile delinquent centre but placed in a farm under supervision for his betterment (but also as bait for his father to turn up and so be caught).
Robert Sterling plays the farmer who is to supervise Roosty. He is engaged to the local teacher, Marsha Hunt. Lionel Barrymore does not appear until 50 minutes into the film but then makes his mark, the sympathetic, homespun grandfather, who takes a shine to Roosty who has wanted to be a pilot (and has piloted plane arranged by his father). Emma Dunn plays Robert Sterling’s mother, and a very young Gloria De Haven appears as Marsha Hunt’s sister. And, one recognises the voice before recognising the face, Phil Silvers has a small walk on role.
The drama between father and son, the son finding new hope at the farm, plays well – with a tone of moralising for the times.
1. The title? Criminals and crime? For Stuff? For Roosty?
2. The times? The aftermath of the Depression? Criminals in bank robberies? The police? Juvenile criminals? Farm work and fostering?
3. The opening tone, the need for work, the men waiting, Stuff arriving,, genial, his plans, the men asking to see the money, the small man and his punch and in charge, going to the bank, their witnessing the withdrawal, Stuff and his note, taking the money, the men waiting, the officials fearful? His getaway, his truck, the car?
4. Stuff, his nickname, the police identifying him? His age, personality, ruthless, but his devotion to his son? His relationship with Julie? Their waiting for Stuff? Going to New York?
5. Roosty, his age, devotion to his father, aware of the criminal activity, his attitude towards Julie, going in public in the fur, his criticisms?
6. His father turning up, travelling with his father, his father and hideout, the network and the grapevine, the desire to rob a bank and make good? Rusty and his wanting to be a pilot, his father allowing him to take the plane up, anxieties as he watched?
7. The police, the plans, the pursuit, shooting? Stuff hiding? Roosty and his refusal to give his father away? The siege, Julie being shot?
8. Roosty, going to juvenile court, and, responsible for him, knowing the truth, and that Roosty was bait to catch his father?
9. Roosty, his room, the altercations with the goose, his trying to run had away, picked up by Katherine, their discussion, her returning him home? His resentments? His wanting to read the paper, the arrangement for his father to put a message in the paper?
10. The grandmother, her kindness, the cooking? Eventually going to see the grandfather, his interest in planes, communicating with Roosty? Taking a shine to him? The episode of stealing the money and the gun, trying to hide them, Ed knowing what it happened, making good? His attraction to Anne?
11. Going to school, beginning to change, not wanting to work, Ed and his plans for the pollen, the attack by the goose, his accidentally killing it – and the irony of his being served up for dinner? Roosty not wanting to eat him?
12. Ed and Catherine, fiancés, schoolteacher, care for Roosty?
13. The newspaper message, waiting for Stuff to turn up? His arrival, by plane, the brusque manner, hostile, confronted by the grandfather, shooting him, Roosty and his not wanting to go? His father shot?
14. The grandfather recovering, Ed and the bond with Roosty, and his wanting to stay? The prospect of flying the plane?
