The Saint In Palm Springs (1941)

To me, this movie is perfection.

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Yo, there's no way for me to review this film without saying, take your *insert ethnicity + "ass" here* to see this film,like now. You have to see it in order to know what you're really messing with.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

The sixth RKO Saint film is the last for star George Sanders before he moved over to the similar Falcon series. The plot this time involves rare stamps. So wake the kids. As a favor for Inspector Fernack, the Saint agrees to help watch over an old friend who's in possession of some rare postage stamps. Because "competent bodyguard" isn't among his many skills, the Saint fails to prevent the guy being killed. So he sets out to deliver the stamps to the dead guy's daughter in Palm Springs and hopefully catch the killer as well.Sanders' final Saint film is a good one, filled with action and humor. There's a rear projection biking scene that's worth a chuckle and the climax of the film involves a fake eyebrow, of all things. Also making their final appearances in the series are Jonathan Hale as Inspector Fernak and Wendy Barrie as the Saint's love interest, her third role in as many films. Paul Guilfoyle returns as Pearly Gates and provides most of the movie's laughs. After this, RKO launched their own series The Falcon, also starring George Sanders. The Falcon is a pretty obvious ripoff of the Saint (minus the calling cards and whistling) made because RKO was tired of dealing with Saint creator Leslie Charteris. I have to admit I enjoy the Falcon movies more than the Saint ones, outside of the first couple.

After now seeing all five films, 'The Saint Strikes Back' was a decent film though had somewhat of a finding-its-feet feel, 'The Saint in London' while not perfect was an improvement, 'The Saint Takes Over' was the best of the series and 'The Saint's Double Trouble' the weakest.'The Saint in Palm Springs' is bang in the middle when ranking all five films. Like all the films, it's not great, but like 'Takes Over' and 'London' it's good ('Strikes Back', as said, was decent, while 'Double Trouble' was disappointingly average). The pros do outweigh the cons, but 'The Saint in Palm Springs' does suffer from a lack of suspense ('Takes Over' is the darkest of the five, despite the high body count here, and adheres closest to the tougher edge when Louis Hayward was in the role).As well as an ending that is far too confused and comes far too suddenly with little build up. The screen projection agreed is obvious at times.On the other hand, the sets are atmospheric and the photography doesn't look hasty or low-budget. Scripting is smart and with the right balance of fun and mystery, while the music is jaunty but also atmospheric. The direction is suitably brisk, as well as a story, that although lacking in suspense, is paced in a lively way and diverting, never dull at least.George Sanders himself, as said with my previous reviews of his Saint outings, is super-suave, sophisticated and wonderfully caddish, while also giving a charming and humorous edge and delivering some cutting lines with aplomb. Jonathan Hale is fine support, while Wendy Barrie gives one of her better performances of her three appearances in the Saint films. Paul Guilfoyle comes very close to stealing the film in an amusing performance, and Linda Hayes is charming.In conclusion, good fun and bang in the middle of the five Saint film starring Sanders. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Spoilers herein.There are a few things I really enjoy in thinking about film. One is comparing remakes and sequels to their originals. Its odd how some work and some don't. And those that work often work for completely different reasons. The Alien series are four films as different from each other as any are from this.Another joy is comparing projects that fail that have almost the same recipe as those that succeed, or are thought to succeed. This movie features William Powell in pretty much the same character he had in several projects at about the same time. Many, like this one, had A-list actresses. The writing isn't particularly different from one project to the next.It seems almost that 'The Thin Man' was accidentally good. And this, accidentally bad.Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.

George Sanders is really the reason you should watch this film. He is always cool, suave and sophisticated. Rarely caught by surprise. Of the five Saint films he made, this is second best(after The Saint in London). This one has sunny Palm Springs and a decent mystery. Wendy Barrie(once again) is also ok. The identity of the killers is a bit of a surprise, especially the head of the gang, but this does not take away from the fun of the film. Some of the back screen projection(in the desert scenes) is dreadful but there are enough location shots to compensate. Overall fun with a good performance by Sanders. I give it 7 stamps out of 10.