Alias Mr. Twilight

"Alias Mr. Twilight" is one of the most unusual films I have recently seen. Believe it or not, it's a romantic family comedy drama...and a crime film to boot!

Grandpa Holden has a granddaughter, Susan, who he cares for and he also has hired a governess, Corky, to help care for her because he travels so much. And, when you see these folks, you can't help but like them. But this kindly grandfather hides a secret...he's a con man! In other words, when he's traveling he's out ripping people off using various cons. But despite this, you can't help but like the guy.

This odd living arrangement is brought into question by two people. First, Corky begins dating a very nice man...who happens to be a vice cop looking for whoever has been pulling off various cons (the grandfather, of course). Second, Grandpa has a cousin who is a vile sort...who has been blackmailing him for years because of his 'job'...but also threatening to take Susan. But the cousin has the motherly instincts of a cobra...and the thought of Susan going to live with her is awful!

After a while, the policeman starts to realize that Grandpa is a con man. And, Grandpa knows this. So, he creates a plan in order to guarantee Susan WON'T go with his cousin.

This is a great film for Lloyd Corrigan. He is just perfect playing Grandpa...and it's probably his best film performance. The story, though odd, is exciting to watch AND it ends very well. A charming but odd confection...made better because Susan is so gosh darn cute!

Lloyd Corrigan is the doting grandfather of Gigi Perreau. Her parents, alas, are dead, but nurse Trudy Marshall takes very good care of the little girl when Corrigan is away. She has a beau, in Michael Duane. He's a cop with the bunco squad. He's convinced Corrigan is a first-class confidence man and he's right. When Corrigan's associate, Rosalind Ivan comes to put the screws to him about who gets Miss Perreau vs, say, $10,000, Corrigan has another confidence game to play.

I love movies about confidence games, and there are a couple of classic ones here, including a pricey variant of the fiddle game. Director John Sturges has a tough time reconciling Corrigan's sympathetic nature with the strictures of the Production Code, but thanks to a good script and some nice performances by the likes of Al Bridge and Torben Mayer, does so handily. But what's the point of all that sand?

I'm adding reviews for films that lack one, here goes.... 'Early Sturges film, grandfather is guardian to his 5 year old granddaughter, who he rearing with the help of a young nurse, his 'profession' is confidence trickster, at which he is talented; but things get complicated when the nurse starts dating a policeman. It's a mostly little known cast, apart from Lloyd Corrigan who is the standout as granddad, Gigi Perreau is rather to cute as his granddaughter; worth a look good film.'