Brother Orchid

Released May 29, 1940

1h 28m

Crime

Drama

List

Reviews

66%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Mob boss Little John Sarto (Edward G. Robinson) cedes control of his territory to Jack Buck (Humphrey Bogart) and leaves town on a grand European tour. Five years later, Sarto tries to take back his turf, but his moll, Flo Addams (Ann Sothern), accidentally leads him into a trap where he's left for dead. Taken in by the well-meaning Brother Superior (Donald Crisp) of a nearby monastery, Sarto begins to understand the error of his previous ways and makes some drastic life changes.

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Steve D

Ridiculous but also cute and fun.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/17/24

Full Review

william k

Likable gangster comedy-drama surprises with an unusual, amusing premise and takes it to an uplifting ending; with a superb star cast of the time, but it's mainly the Robinson/Bogart confrontation that livens up the show.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

ashley h

Brother Orchid is an okay film. It is about retired racket boss John Sarto who tries to reclaim his place but former friends try to kill him. Edward G. Robinson and Humphrey Bogart give decent performances. The screenplay is a little slow in places. Lloyd Bacon did an alright job directing this movie. I liked this motion picture because of the humor and drama.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Tom M

Very entertaining crime/comedy movie with a great cast. Robinson plays his usual gangster perfectly but it's Sothern as his devoted moll that is adorable and steals her scenes.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/30/21

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Audience Member

Movie have heart. (Blobbo like EG Robinson, too.)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Completely implausible, with cartoonish plot and the same for the acting. Worst Bogie or Robinson movie ever!

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

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Lloyd Bacon

Director

Edward G. Robinson

Little John T. "Johnny" Sarto

Humphrey Bogart

Jack Buck

Ann Sothern

Florence "Flo" Addams

Donald Crisp

Brother Superior

Ralph Bellamy

Clarence P. Fletcher

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Mark R. Leeper

rec.arts.movies.reviews

Rated: 3/5

Oct 21, 2008

Full Review

David Cornelius

DVDTalk.com

Just charming enough to keep it from becoming a dud... It's Robinson's delicate touch that keeps us watching.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 5, 2008

Full Review

John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

...combines a gentle humor with a touch of sweetness that makes it a delight. (Warner Gangsters Collection, Vol. 3)

Rated: 7/10

Mar 20, 2008

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

It's a pic that delights in being so ridiculous and corny.

Rated: C+

May 16, 2007

Full Review

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Synopsis

Mob boss Little John Sarto (Edward G. Robinson) cedes control of his territory to Jack Buck (Humphrey Bogart) and leaves town on a grand European tour. Five years later, Sarto tries to take back his turf, but his moll, Flo Addams (Ann Sothern), accidentally leads him into a trap where he's left for dead. Taken in by the well-meaning Brother Superior (Donald Crisp) of a nearby monastery, Sarto begins to understand the error of his previous ways and makes some drastic life changes.

Director: Lloyd Bacon
Production Co: First National, Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 29, 1940, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 23, 2016
Runtime: 1h 28m

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