Brother Orchid (1940)

64% of users liked it
(848 ratings)

Edward G. Robinson plays orchid-loving gangster Little John Sarto, who aspires to "real class." During a power struggle with usurping mobster Jack Buck (Humphrey Bogart), Sarto is taken for a one-way ride, but he escapes his would-be assassins and hides out in a monastery overseen by Brother… More Edward G. Robinson plays orchid-loving gangster Little John Sarto, who aspires to "real class." During a power struggle with usurping mobster Jack Buck (Humphrey Bogart), Sarto is taken for a one-way ride, but he escapes his would-be assassins and hides out in a monastery overseen by Brother Superior (Donald Crisp). Sarto insists that he'd like to become a monk himself, but in fact he's using the monastery as a hideout, the better to mount his counterattack against Buck. Eventually Sarto's resolve is weakened by the kindness of the monks, and he decides to turn over a new leaf. He sees to it that Buck is brought to justice, and also fixes up his true-blue "moll," Flo Addams (Ann Sothern), with good-hearted Texas rancher Clarence Fletcher (Ralph Bellamy). (News flash! Bellamy gets the girl for once!) Sarto, now known as "Brother Orchid," returns to the monastery for good, declaring that he's finally found the real class. Though Edward G. Robinson didn't want to play another gangster, he agreed to star in Brother Orchid in exchange for being allowed to essay the lead in Warner Bros.' historical drama A Dispatch From Reuter's (1940). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: Lloyd Bacon
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 7, 1940 Wide
On DVD: Mar 25, 2008

Critic Reviews

David Cornelius, DVDTalk.com
Just charming enough to keep it from becoming a dud... It's Robinson's delicate touch that keeps us watching.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...it comes off as humorously and as touchingly as I remember it all those years ago. (Warner Gangsters Collection, Vol. 3)
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...combines a gentle humor with a touch of sweetness that makes it a delight. (Warner Gangsters Collection, Vol. 3)
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's a pic that delights in being so ridiculous and corny.

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

This is one of my favourite dramas of the 1940s. It has a good cast and a good story. I highly recommend this movie.
Michael G

Brother Orchid is an uneven and odd movie from the Warner Bros. gangster stable. Edward G. Robinson plays the likable little tough guy who gets chiseled out of his racket by a one-dimensional performance by Humphrey Bogart. The first half of the movie plays like a gangster comedy… More
Brother Orchid is an uneven and odd movie from the Warner Bros. gangster stable. Edward G. Robinson plays the likable little tough guy who gets chiseled out of his racket by a one-dimensional performance by Humphrey Bogart. The first half of the movie plays like a gangster comedy that's not without its charms but the second half when a presumed dead Robinson hides out at a flower-growing monastery takes on this dramatic, Lost Horizonesque quality that's enjoyable enough, but just sort of left me bewildered. Robinson and Bogart play their trademarked (at the time for Bogart, at least) roles and Ann Southern did the dizzy blonde thing perfectly. Ralph Bellamy was actually a standout. Brother Orchid definitely isn't required viewing but fans of Edward G. and Bogart but it's not to be avoided either.

Cast

            Edward G. Robinson as Little John Sarto

            Humphrey Bogart as Jack Buck

            Donald Crisp as Brother Superior

            Ralph Bellamy as Clarence Fletcher

            Allen Jenkins as Willie The Knife

            Charles D. Brown as Brother Wren

            Cecil Kellaway as Brother Goodwin

            Morgan Conway as Philadelphia Powell

            Richard Lane as Mugsy O'Day

            Paul Guilfoyle as Red Martin

            John Ridgely as Texas Pearson

            Joseph Crehan as Brother MacEwen

            Wilfred Lucas as Brother MacDonald

            Tom Tyler as Curley Matthews

            Granville Bates as Pattonsville Supt.

            Paul Phillips as French Frank

            Don Rowan as Al Muller

            Nanette Vallon as Fifi

            Joe Caits as Handsome Harry

            Tim Ryan as Turkey Malone

            Pat Gleason as Dopey Perkins

            Tommy Baker as Joseph

            Joan Blondell
            
            Harlan Briggs as Thomas A. Bailey

            Charles Coleman as Englishman

            Gino Corrado as Artist

            Jean Del Val as Frenchman

            Frank Faylen as Superintendent of Service

            James Flavin as Parking Attendant

            Mary Gordon as Mrs. Sweeney

            Creighton Hale as Reporter

            George Haywood as Reporter

            William Hopper as Reporter

            Armand Kaliz as Frenchman

            Sam McDaniel as Janitor

            Leonard Mudie as Englishman

            Edgar Norton as Meadows

            Frank Orth as Waiter

            John Qualen as Mr. Pigeon

            Ann Sothern as Flo Addams

            Dick Wessel as Buffalo Burns

            Charles De Ravenne as Stable Boy

            G. Pat Collins as Tim O'Hara
See full cast