The Great McGinty

Pleasant, charming directorial debut from Sturges that doesn't really aim for much more. The story skips along at a decent pace and there is some clever dialogue on occasion, mixed in with a few laughs. Donlevy and Angelus make a nice pairing and the romance is light. A perfectly inoffensive little flick.

A fun well written movie, but not up to Sturges' masterpieces.

Of all the films involving local crooks controlling the mayor, this is not one I'd pick to showcase that angle. A noble theme toward the end, but it's not the comedy and it's not the depth of the script that makes this memorable. It's the little dramatic touches and solid performances from actors that didn't always get those high profile roles that makes this a focused viewing experience.

Begins well, but the hard edge dulls and the pace slows as the film goes on. Donlevy and Tamiroff, though, are very, very good.

Some funny, charming set pieces and plenty of Sturges' light touch, but on the whole rather slight.

87.50

Always a sucker for a Preston Sturges film. The dialogue is always so sharp, quick, and witty. The two lead roles were solid. The buildup was great but I felt the ending was way rushed, or at least wasn't really satisfying given the ascent. I want to describe this as "if the Three Stooges tried to make a drama" because of all the physical roughhousing between the mobster and McGinty. But there isn't as much slapstick humor as that comparison would imply

Enjoyable take on a rags-to-riches story, with some political commentary thrown in. While it's not as consistently funny as later Sturges films, it barrels along with its peculiar predicaments and snappy dialogue. (I only wish I had watched the slightly-related Miracle of Morgan's Creek tomorrow night instead of last night.)

An entertaining and rather breezy handling of overall serious subject matter, with great dialogue, good acting (particularly Muriel Angelus in her last film role), and smooth direction. There's some political satire mixed with old school mob movie elements, and even a bit of sincere and believable romance. It's not a ground-breaking story or technological marvel, but it's a charming film that was well deserving of the first-ever best original screenplay at the Academy Awards.

Pretty good, but easily outdone by Sturges' subsequent efforts.

Talking fast is not funny

It's fine, but struggles with what to do around the marriage. There is no real satisfaction here, in what is supposed to be a comedy (I think).