Considering its a Danziger Brothers poverty row production, St. Benny the Dip is blessed with a marvelous cast. Dick Haymes, Lionel Stander, and Cosmo Topper himself, Roland Young, play a trio of small time hoodlums who disguise themselves as priests to escape a police dragnet. Finding themselves in an abandoned Bowery mission, the threesome take their masquerade to extremes, holding services and feeding the poor. This marvelous tale of redemption also stars a luminous Nina Foch as love interest and Freddie Bartholomew in his final screen appearance. This is perhaps the first and so far only noir-comedy ever made, with some very fine black and white location photography by Don Malkames, whose career took him from Yiddish pictures to 'race' films. John Roeburt's screenplay is consistently intelligent and amusing. The film's low budget is apparent, but its clear everyone involved was working very hard to make a quality picture, and they succeeded.
10 Reviews
Working out your own salvation
bkoganbing27 July 2014
By 1951 the blacklist was in full force. But Lionel Stander got to appear in this film St. Benny The Dip because it was an independent production shot in New York City released by United Artists. In 1951 no Hollywood studio would have employed Stander.
Stander along with Roland Young and Dick Haymes who plays the title role play three confidence men whom the police are hot on the trail of. In eluding the cops the three go into a church basement and take three clerical habits. After that they seek shelter in what turn out to be an old closed up mission.
The police do catch them there, but they think they're clergy come to reopen the place. After that the three are trapped in their roles, but each in his own way works out his salvation.
St. Benny The Dip is one of those old sentimental type films that we never get seen made today save for the Hallmark Channel. All three of the leads fit comfortably into parts that are written for them.
This film marked the farewell big screen performances of Roland Young and Freddie Bartholomew who plays a young minister. Young died two years later and Bartholomew just left the business all together.
A lot of laughs, but also a few moments of pathos characterize St. Benny The Dip. Good family entertainment still.
Stander along with Roland Young and Dick Haymes who plays the title role play three confidence men whom the police are hot on the trail of. In eluding the cops the three go into a church basement and take three clerical habits. After that they seek shelter in what turn out to be an old closed up mission.
The police do catch them there, but they think they're clergy come to reopen the place. After that the three are trapped in their roles, but each in his own way works out his salvation.
St. Benny The Dip is one of those old sentimental type films that we never get seen made today save for the Hallmark Channel. All three of the leads fit comfortably into parts that are written for them.
This film marked the farewell big screen performances of Roland Young and Freddie Bartholomew who plays a young minister. Young died two years later and Bartholomew just left the business all together.
A lot of laughs, but also a few moments of pathos characterize St. Benny The Dip. Good family entertainment still.
Parody
Pleasehelpmejesus21 September 2005
How is this a parody of "Les Miserables"? I fail to see any similarity other than the fact that both stories deal with sympathetic criminals. There is no chase, no obsessive policeman-the Sgt. isn't really in pursuit of Benny and his gang in the way Javert pursues Valjean. I don't see any true parody here at all but I am willing to listen to counter arguments.
Is it possible that you mean a particular scene? I'm going to go back and watch it again to see if I can catch something I might have missed the first time around.
The movie is pretty lightweight despite its creative team having such a strong pedigree but still, it's pleasant enough. Stander and Roland Young are great as usual and crooner Dick Haymes is likable and believable enough as Benny. It's not "We're No Angels" or "His Girl Friday" but it's not bad.
Is it possible that you mean a particular scene? I'm going to go back and watch it again to see if I can catch something I might have missed the first time around.
The movie is pretty lightweight despite its creative team having such a strong pedigree but still, it's pleasant enough. Stander and Roland Young are great as usual and crooner Dick Haymes is likable and believable enough as Benny. It's not "We're No Angels" or "His Girl Friday" but it's not bad.
A comedy with some wan contrasts
Nozz10 November 2011
In his characteristically bemused and half-faltering voice, Roland Young reads the majestic opening of Genesis to a handful of charity cases in a nobly spacious but dilapidated old building still remembered for its better days. He and his comrades, the script reminds us, are just three people in a city of eight million, and the city is visually portrayed in towering terms of expressionism; but the eccentric trio still nurses hopes of turning the game in their favor. It turns out that Man proposes, but God disposes. A wise priest is on hand waxing philosophical and poetic about the situation, and in addition along comes a woman-- Nina Foch-- whose own definition not about fame (which she seized at but lost) or about globetrotting or getting rich quick but about a successful domestic life. A comedic situation arises from the contrasting lures of a quiet, productive lifestyle versus an independent and unrestrained one. Dick Haymes sings an unexpectedly bluesy hymn in one of his last movie roles, and fellow actors Roland Young and Freddie Bartholomew are winding up their big-screen careers as well, adding unintentionally and retroactively to the movie's elegiac quality.
Enjoyable but very slight.
planktonrules9 August 2011
Warning: Spoilers
The DVD for "St. Benny the Dip" was released by Alpha Video. Like most of their DVD's I've seen (and I have seen at least 50), the picture is badly in need of restoration, as it's a fuzzy print.
The basic plot idea of "St. Benny" has been repeated at least three times in "When in Rome", "The Left Hand of God" and "We're No Angels" (the 1989 version)--and these are just the films I can think of right off my head. Some crooks are hiding out from the law and pretend to be priests. In this case, Dick Haymes, Roland Young and Lionel Stander are these faux priests. Through the course of the film, the guys slowly start to change and their behaviors seem to mirror their new clothes.
This film, while enjoyable, is also very slight. In other words, it certainly won't change your life and is pretty much in the category of time-passers. The film is cute but VERY hard to believe (such as the behavior of the real priest--who acts like this on this planet?!). My advice is to watch it--but be sure to turn off your brain and don't question the plot.
The basic plot idea of "St. Benny" has been repeated at least three times in "When in Rome", "The Left Hand of God" and "We're No Angels" (the 1989 version)--and these are just the films I can think of right off my head. Some crooks are hiding out from the law and pretend to be priests. In this case, Dick Haymes, Roland Young and Lionel Stander are these faux priests. Through the course of the film, the guys slowly start to change and their behaviors seem to mirror their new clothes.
This film, while enjoyable, is also very slight. In other words, it certainly won't change your life and is pretty much in the category of time-passers. The film is cute but VERY hard to believe (such as the behavior of the real priest--who acts like this on this planet?!). My advice is to watch it--but be sure to turn off your brain and don't question the plot.
His Wonders to Perform
wes-connors30 April 2011
In New York City, dapper Dick Haymes (as Benny), gruff Lionel Stander (as Monk), and crafty Roland Young (as Matthew) are a trio of con men who hide from the police by assuming the identity of three reverends attending to a needy mission. While hiding out, the three con men of the cloth begin to question their criminal ways. Our leading man Mr. Haymes cozies up to attractive blonde illustrator Nina Foch (as Linda Kovacs) while Mr. Stander mulls over the family he left...
Freddie Bartholomew (as Rev. Wilbur) makes his last feature appearance, in a supporting role. Although still a young man, and acting able to follow a successful character actor career path, Mr. Bartholomew retired from the screen grind. Haymes' sole song "I Believe" is not the Frankie Laine song that came out a couple years later. The obvious plot potential in making Mr. Roland a fallen preacher is not realized. This would have made his part, and the story, stronger.
***** St. Benny the Dip (8/24/51) Edgar G. Ulmer ~ Dick Haymes, Lionel Stander, Nina Foch, Freddie Bartholomew
Freddie Bartholomew (as Rev. Wilbur) makes his last feature appearance, in a supporting role. Although still a young man, and acting able to follow a successful character actor career path, Mr. Bartholomew retired from the screen grind. Haymes' sole song "I Believe" is not the Frankie Laine song that came out a couple years later. The obvious plot potential in making Mr. Roland a fallen preacher is not realized. This would have made his part, and the story, stronger.
***** St. Benny the Dip (8/24/51) Edgar G. Ulmer ~ Dick Haymes, Lionel Stander, Nina Foch, Freddie Bartholomew
Drippy plot and fast moving sentimentality add horns to my rating.
mark.waltz1 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This is typical "Capra-corn", the slang term for movies that had the Frank Capra like ploy of lightening up dark characters who knew how to scam strangers or utilize false identities to worm their way into the lives of those they intended to fleece or con in one way or another. Capra knew how to create such characters and change them believably, so as they made alterations, it became believable to the audience.
That is not the case here, and it's a shame under the direction of Edgar G. Ulmer because he knew how to take dark scenes and make them intriguing to audiences, without sentimentalizing anything about the story. This takes three con artist who have to go into hiding; singing Dick Haymes, cynical Lionel Standler and droll Roland Young, all so different that you wonder how they got together as con men in the first place.
Like Whoopie Goldberg in "Sister Act" and other assorted characters (like the two men in "Nuns on the Run", a variation on the "Some Like It Hot" plot), this has them hiding out in a religious community, in this case a Bowery Street Mission on the Lower East Side where their involvement in the community (with ministers Freddie Bartholomew and Dick Gordon) affects them so much that they quickly begin to change.
While the focus is on Haymes (and his romancing of Nina Foch), the best material goes to Stander who easily walks off with the film. His character begins to lighten up as far as his cynicism is concerned, and it's fascinating to watch him make changes in his attitude towards those around him. Haymes gets a very strange spiritual song, another "I Believe" list tune that becomes a bit cloying in its desperation to manipulate the audience. The script is pretty much the reason to blame for the films overall weakness even though there are some good moments that are truly memorable. It's just in this opportunity that didn't fulfill its potential.
That is not the case here, and it's a shame under the direction of Edgar G. Ulmer because he knew how to take dark scenes and make them intriguing to audiences, without sentimentalizing anything about the story. This takes three con artist who have to go into hiding; singing Dick Haymes, cynical Lionel Standler and droll Roland Young, all so different that you wonder how they got together as con men in the first place.
Like Whoopie Goldberg in "Sister Act" and other assorted characters (like the two men in "Nuns on the Run", a variation on the "Some Like It Hot" plot), this has them hiding out in a religious community, in this case a Bowery Street Mission on the Lower East Side where their involvement in the community (with ministers Freddie Bartholomew and Dick Gordon) affects them so much that they quickly begin to change.
While the focus is on Haymes (and his romancing of Nina Foch), the best material goes to Stander who easily walks off with the film. His character begins to lighten up as far as his cynicism is concerned, and it's fascinating to watch him make changes in his attitude towards those around him. Haymes gets a very strange spiritual song, another "I Believe" list tune that becomes a bit cloying in its desperation to manipulate the audience. The script is pretty much the reason to blame for the films overall weakness even though there are some good moments that are truly memorable. It's just in this opportunity that didn't fulfill its potential.
Redemption
shaneskiser25 June 2007
Regarding the previous comment about being unable to see St. Benny the Dip as a parody of Les Miserables, I, too, do not see a parody. I do see, however, an homage to Les Miserable. There is in both works the common theme of redemption. In the same way the priest in Les Miserables covers for Jean Valjean and gracefully provides for him, so, too, does the priest in St. Benny the Dip provide for our three scoundrels, and that gracious act in the same way begins the process of redemption. True, Jean Valjean was not the scoundrel that Benny, Matthew, and Monk are, but they, like Valjean move from outside the law to inside the law.
Grace begets grace.
Grace begets grace.
Uncharacteristically competent Ulmer picture
tentender15 April 2014
This film is a pleasant surprise from cinema's greatest liar, Edgar G. Ulmer. (His claims for his career in interviews seem now to be regarded as largely preposterous -- many flat out lies, much inflation of his contributions...) But this is a nice, competent little comedy built from crime story elements, and quite enjoyable. Part of the surprise is the far-better-than-just-decent cast: Dick Haymes (ok -- none too great -- in the title role), Nina Foch, excellent as The Girl in The Story; Lionel Stander, as always both lively and believable, and Roland Young, looking sadly worn out. Below the title, there is Oscar Karlweis, a most appealing Viennese actor (and important on Broadway as Jacobowsky in the original production of "Jacobowsky and the Colonel," in the role Danny Kaye played in the film), Jean Casto (her only film role; she originated the role in "Pal Joey" (1940) that made Elaine Stritch a star in the 1952 revival -- which co-starred Lionel Stander!). Uncredited: Dort Clark (of "Bells Are Ringing") and John Lupton (of "Battle Cry"), both in small speaking roles. Lastly, Freddie Bartholomew appears in his final film role -- and, sadly, appears to have completely lost his talent. The role is terrible, and he's awful in it. Smart man to leave the business at this point.
As to the relation of this film to Ulmer's oeuvre -- well, don't make me laugh! But I will say that the absence of Ulmer's musical "genius," that fellow Erdody, is extremely welcome. As always with Ulmer, there is too much score, but this one is not as insufferable as the ones Erdody cranked out.
A sweet, entertaining film.
As to the relation of this film to Ulmer's oeuvre -- well, don't make me laugh! But I will say that the absence of Ulmer's musical "genius," that fellow Erdody, is extremely welcome. As always with Ulmer, there is too much score, but this one is not as insufferable as the ones Erdody cranked out.
A sweet, entertaining film.
Some Interesting Aspects, Despite Faltering Storyline
dougdoepke27 February 2023
The flick's got an interesting premise. Three con-men fleeing the cops grab white collar cleric suits and pretend to be men of God. It works. Trouble is they then get mistakenly recruited into serving as real ministers at a newly opened poverty-row mission. Now, in order to keep the cops away, they've got to pretend to be what they're not. Can they do it, given their criminal backgrounds.
Trouble is the storyline fails to develop this suspenseful potential in sustained fashion. Instead, we get a loosely focused series of personality sketches that scatter instead of gel. Thus the premise is unfortunately squandered. Nonetheless, there are two unusual aspects to note: the tricky religious aspect never turns sappy in the sanctimonious manner of the day, while the question of legal justice for the three culprits is left unresolved unless I missed something. So, despite its overall failures, the flick avoids some significant cliches.
In passing. Note presence here of actor-crooner Dick Haymes {Benny} whose promising career was cut short by accusations of dodging service in WWII. Then too there's actor Stander {Monk} who was soon blacklisted for 10 years for defying anti-communist investigations into Hollywood political affairs. But what's the story on youthful Freddie Bartholomew's silly Reverand Wilbur that's disruptive of the flick itself -- must be a backstory behind this his last movie appearance.
All in all, though the story may fail, the movie still has some points of interest. So you might give it a look-see if your goal is more than sheer entertainment.
Trouble is the storyline fails to develop this suspenseful potential in sustained fashion. Instead, we get a loosely focused series of personality sketches that scatter instead of gel. Thus the premise is unfortunately squandered. Nonetheless, there are two unusual aspects to note: the tricky religious aspect never turns sappy in the sanctimonious manner of the day, while the question of legal justice for the three culprits is left unresolved unless I missed something. So, despite its overall failures, the flick avoids some significant cliches.
In passing. Note presence here of actor-crooner Dick Haymes {Benny} whose promising career was cut short by accusations of dodging service in WWII. Then too there's actor Stander {Monk} who was soon blacklisted for 10 years for defying anti-communist investigations into Hollywood political affairs. But what's the story on youthful Freddie Bartholomew's silly Reverand Wilbur that's disruptive of the flick itself -- must be a backstory behind this his last movie appearance.
All in all, though the story may fail, the movie still has some points of interest. So you might give it a look-see if your goal is more than sheer entertainment.
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