The Penalty (1941)

You won't be disappointed!

Admirable film.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

When selecting old movies to record, the number of stars listed by the cable company often has a bearing on these choices. However, even though "The Penalty" was showing only two stars, the entire film belies this underestimated rating.Beyond the natural ambiance of a black-and-white flick from 1941, this movie unfolds gradually, and culminates with a somewhat riveting climax, so it's certainly worth more than a mere two stars.Edward Arnold, an often overlooked actor from film's early days, portrays a superb sampling of the ultimate bad guy. The one aspect of his character that makes him human is his relationship with his teenage son, a role brilliantly played by Gene Reynolds.Add a dash of Lionel Barrymore as a crusty old farmer, and a smattering of sizzling young Robert Sterling, and you have created the recipe for a delicious old flick that will hold your attention and dangle in your thoughts like the aftertaste of a delectable dessert.This film is definitely worth the investment of 80 minutes of viewing time.

I'm a big fan of old movies (keep my TV tuned to TCM mostly) and I've been noticing Gene Reynolds a lot more lately. I'm sure I've been aware of him in the past because looking at his credits I've seen several of his films as a child star. Why he's not better known for this is a wonder to me.Slightly Spoilerish Plot Points below.I watched The Penalty this morning and he was just great in this film. It's a slight little film (less than 90 minutes) but it was long enough for him to make a transition from a tough gangster's kid to a responsible ward of a good farmer. He conveys emotions well. He's just as good as Freddy Bartholomew or Mickey Rooney, who I supposed were the biggest male child stars of the late 30's and early 40's. In fact he's more subtle than Rooney, whom I admire.The rest of cast is good too including Edward Arnold as the father, Robert Sterling as his guardian, and Marsha Hunt & Lionel Barrymore as neighbors who help Sterling turn the boy around.

But all his acting abilities are given short shrift by a tale that purports to be a crime melodrama with EDWARD ARNOLD as his father, a bank robber who's always one step ahead of the police. RICHARD LANE is the detective on his trail, VEDA ANN BORG is Arnold's moll girlfriend, GENE REYNOLDS is his street smart son, and RALPH BYRD is an unfortunate police officer.Trouble is, none of the story rings true. It all his a very fabricated MGM look, the kind of programmer they turned out to fill a double feature program without any headliners in starring roles. I never bought jovial EDWARD ARNOLD as the criminal type and this bit of miscasting prevents the story from any real sense of credibility.It's a good forty minutes before ROBERT STERLING and MARSHA HUNT show up as a farm couple willing to take reform school reject GENE REYNOLDS under their wing. He's a fallen sparrow who needs all the nurturing they can give.Fifty minutes into the story, LIONEL BARRYMORE and GLORIA DE HAVEN show up, with Barrymore as a Grandpa who smokes a pipe and talks like Dr. Gillespie except that he's full of kindly sentiments instead of bitter complaints about mankind.Did I say the story was dated? Marsha Hunt talks about a schoolteacher making $85 a month.Summing up: Unpredictable at the start, the story soon turns into a conventional "crime doesn't pay" drama with Reynolds doing a complete reformation in time for a happy ending. The only saving grace is that it's not as preachy as it might have been. Summing up: The faults far outweigh the virtues.Trivia note: Watch for PHIL SILVERS (without specs) in a one minute bit as a hobo.

A very good film, with actors ranging from Lionel Barrymore to Edward Arnold, but this film really hinges on the acting ability of Gene Reynolds. Mr. Reynolds dominates this film and for a teen actor, he carries the film very well. I found this film to be very good and really kept this viewer's attention from beginning to end. Be sure and catch this film the next time it is on television--another "small" film that is worth seeing!!