MR. SOFT TOUCH
1949,
Sony Repertory,
93 min,
USA,
Dir: Henry Levin, Gordon Douglas
This ultra-rare comedy-noir hybrid features Glenn Ford as a returning WWII vet who knocks over the Frisco nightclub he used to own. When the gangster owners come gunning for him, Ford finds sanctuary by getting arrested for a misdemeanor - only to find himself back in hot water when he’s sprung by a do-gooder social worker (Evelyn Keyes) for the holidays. Directed by Henry Levin and Gordon Douglas, this is one of the oddest combinations we’ve ever seen: romantic comedy, schmaltzy sentiment and hardboiled noir. “In headlong flight he paused … to live a lifetime in 36 thrill-packed hours … with this woman!” Not on DVD!