The Great McGinty ( Biograhy of a Bum ) ( Down Went McGinty )

The Great McGinty (DVD) (*)

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Original Title: Biograhy of a Bum
Alternate Title: Down Went McGinty
Screened, competed or awarded at:
Oscar Academy Awards

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
Spanish ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
Spain ( PAL/Region 2 )

Running Time:
79 min

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen

Special Features:
Biographies
Filmographies
Interactive Menu
Photo Gallery
Scene Access
Black & White

Movie filmed in 1940 and produced in:
United States ( USA, Canada )

Directed By:
Preston Sturges

Written By:
Preston Sturges

Actors:
Brian Donlevy ..... Daniel 'Dan' McGinty
Muriel Angelus ..... Catherine McGinty
Akim Tamiroff ..... The Boss
Allyn Joslyn ..... George
William Demarest ..... Skeeters - The Politician
Louis Jean Heydt ..... Tommy Thompson
Harry Rosenthal ..... Louie (bodyguard)
Arthur Hoyt ..... Mayor Wilfred T. Tillinghast
Libby Taylor ..... Bessy (maid)
Thurston Hall ..... Mr. Maxwell
Steffi Duna ..... The Dancing Girl
Esther Howard ..... Madame Juliette La Jolla
Frank Moran ..... The Boss' Chauffeur
Jimmy Conlin ..... The Lookout
Dewey Robinson ..... Benny Felgman

Synopsis:

The moral of Preston Sturges' first directorial effort The Great McGinty seems to be: If you're a crook, stay a crook, because honesty will get ya every time. Brian Donlevy plays Dan McGinty, a Chicago hobo who is hired by local political bosses as a "professional voter", casting ballots under a variety of assumed names in various districts. McGinty chalks up $74 worth of votes, and when local ward heeler William Demarest can't pony up, McGinty takes direct action by trying to beat up The Boss (Akim Tamiroff). Though the two men can't get through an entire day without trying to kill each other, McGinty and the Boss are impressed by each other's raw abilities and become political partners. Through the Boss' patronage, McGinty works his way up to the mayor's office, with his politically expedient bride (Muriel Angelus) at his side. Though he never goes so far as to fall in love with his "arranged" wife, Donlevy is fond of both her and her children by a previous marriage, and for their sake he begins to reform--much to the dismay of the Boss. With the Governor's mansion within his grasp, McGinty makes the fatal error of fessing up to a graft-ridden bridge contract. It is this impulsive moment of honesty, rather than any of his past crimes, that gets McGinty thrown in the slammer, sharing a cell with the blood-in-his-eye Boss. Demarest separates the two combative men long enough to arrange an escape to South America, but not before McGinty has assured the financial security of his wife and family. The story is told in flashback form in a seedy South American dive, where McGinty works as a bartender and the Boss is the manager. The film ends with the two friendly enemies duking it out over a minor infraction, while bouncer Demarest looks on in disgust. Sick to death of watching other directors mangle his screenplays, Preston Sturges sold this rollicking political satire to Paramount only on the condition that he be allowed to direct (for the princely sum of $10). Paramount hedged its bets by giving Sturges a slim budget and inexpensive stars; as a result, the film made back its cost several times over, and Preston Sturges' directorial career was off and running.

Dan McGinty, originally just a hobo, proves his toughness to a mob boss who takes him in. He earns the position of alderman, and then mayor, in a corrupt city administration. Along the way he enters a marriage of convenience with Catherine. Good natured Catherine gives him the appearance of a family man which Dan rides to the Governorship. When Catherine convinces him to do some real good with his authority, the mob boss is not so agreeable...

Told in flashback, Depression-era bum Dan McGinty is recruited by the city's political machine to help with vote fraud. His great aptitude for this brings rapid promotion from 'the boss,' who finally decides he'd be ideal as a new, nominally 'reform' mayor; but this candidacy requires marriage. His in-name-only marriage to honest Catherine proves the beginning of the end for dishonest Dan...

This product was added to our catalog on Monday 13 June, 2011.

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