Saint Benny the Dip (1949)

Synopsis: This interesting, low-budget entry in the "crooks posing as priests" genre was shot on location in New York City amid the skid row slums, and the result is an interesting, gritty comedy. Crooner... This interesting, low-budget entry in the "crooks posing as priests" genre was shot on location in New York City amid the skid row slums, and the result is an interesting, gritty comedy. Crooner Dick Haymes stars as Benny, a small-time crook forced to duck into a tenement mission and assume priestly garb to evade the law, along with his two pals, Mathew (Roland Young) and Monk (Lionel Stander). The boys ladle out soup to the homeless, and gradually learn some valuable lessons. Nina Foch is the love interest, who first spars with, and then inspires Benny towards the straight path; Oscar Karlweiss is her angry father. Former child actor Freddie Bartholomew stars as a real priest, who's pretty suspicious of these crazy fellas. The boys' myriad adventures helping (and being helped by) others finally turns them around, but not before plenty of havoc, hilarity and suspense ensues. This was directed by cult genius Edgar G. Ulmer, though it contains little of his trademark existential angst. [More]

Starring: Dick Haymes, Roland Young, Nina Foch, Lionel Stander

Starring: Dick Haymes, Roland Young, Nina Foch, Lionel Stander, Freddie Bartholomew, Oscar Karlweis, Will Lee

Director: Edgar G. Ulmer

Director: Edgar G. Ulmer
Composer: Robert W. Stringer

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