Search - Black Legion on DVD

Jon M. (Johnny) from ASHLAND, MA
Reviewed on 8/19/2020...

Quite an impressive film, using the "Black Legion" as a metaphor for the Klan or really any hate group, even though the Black Legion was, in fact, an authentic hate group from Detroit. Watching Bogart's progression from overlooked worker to propped up manager to full-on hate monger and then back down again is typical but still informative and, sorry, entertaining. It also doesn't hurt to have Erin O'Brien Moore and Ann Sheridan along for support. This is an excellent film that some may find not up to standards of present day films along the same lines, but you DO have to remember that this was made in 1937 and that alone shows how brave it was to make such a picture during a time when racism was more common and accepted than it is today.

2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

A True Story

03/15/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This movie is a gripping account of a very real problem that affected the Detroit automotive industry in the 1930's. The editorial review states that "the script conjures up." This movie is no conjure job. It tells a true story. My father, originally from Kentucky, went to Detroit to work in the automobile factory in the 1930's. While he was never in the Black Legion, he had enough stories to tell about it. I recommend that everyone watch this movie once."

A Brutal Film For The Thirties

James L. | 07/06/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Humphrey Bogart stars as Frank Taylor, a factory worker who wants to be the next foreman. When he is passed over for the promotion he was counting on by a young, eager Polish American, his frustration and anger leads him to join the Black Legion, a group of racists out to punish anyone who isn't "100% American". He keeps this activity a secret from his wife Erin O'Brien Moore and his best friend Dick Foran. But before long, his life starts to unravel because of his association with this group, leading to a lot of tragedy, death, and heartache. I was impressed to see that a major studio like Warner Brothers took such a direct look at a hate group in 1930's Hollywood. The scene where Bogart takes the group's pledge particularly surprised me with its subtle brutality. Bogart is very good in this film, one of the few actors of his time that could have made this character seem believable. The supporting cast, which also includes a young Ann Sheridan as Foran's fiancee, all give good performances as well. The film is tough, presents a hate group as frankly as a 1930's film could, and although a little preachy at the end, delivers its message well."

Warner's social drama but not very good

Douglas M | 04/26/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"In 1937, Warner Brothers continued their crusade on social issues with the release of "Black Legion", a powerful story of fascist vigilantes, clearly based on the Klu Klux Klan.

The films stars Humphrey Bogart as a happily married factory worker who misses a promotion and takes revenge. Bogart works hard to overcome an unsubtle and trite script which draws 2 dimensional characters. The cliched "happy home life" is particularly awful. The young Ann Sheridan appears as the girl next door and she is appealing. Dick Foran is very good as the worker who refuses to join the clan. The vigilante scenes are much more convincing then the domestic ones but more for what they are depicting than due to any imagination in Archie Mayo's journeyman direction.

The print of the DVD is excellent and there is a good commentary shared between 2 relaxed historians. Warners's night at the Movies is included with an entertaining short featuring the band leader Cab Calloway, a highly individual performer with a distinctive unusual singing style. The technicolour short on Stonewall Jackson is poor but 2 future Warner's players appear, Jane Bryan and Wayne Morris. The cartoon features Porky Pig and a goat called Gabby who clearly was scrapped - shrill and aggressive. The DVD is good value as part of the Warner's Gangster Set Volume 3."