Borrowed Hero

A lively cast provides a lot of spark for this Monogram crime/lawyer/courtroom b-movie. Florence Rice really keeps things moving and the capable Alan Baxter works well with her, mainly due to Baxter's confident style and well-trained acting credentials that make him, like the well-established star Rice, a fortunate addition to the acting lineup for Monogram Studios. Monogram constantly strove to provide a quality product beyond its modest means, and sometimes succeeded as it does with "Borrowed Hero".

Movie perennial John Hamilton has a major role in this film as a shady "civic leader" who has his busy fingers in most of City Hall's activities both above-board and behind the scenes. Hamilton was always dynamic and lively in any role, whether in his countless movies or in the original Superman TV series. He always adds spark to a movie with his brisk dramatic style of acting. Ultra dignified Stanley Andrews and kindly Mary Gordon are also excellent in supporting roles.

"Borrowed Hero" has some good criminal and lawyer action and although hurriedly filmed at times including attempts at charming humor that don't always work, overall this is a watchable and lively little obscure movie.

Borrowed Hero from 1941 is a fast paced story of a man who is thrust into the spotlight when he apprehends a wanted fugitive. Perfect vehicle for the always lovely and talented Florence Rice. This time Florence is not surrounded by stellar performers, however they are adequate. Florence plays a newspaper reporter in love with the Borrowed hero and is instrumental in bringing the criminals to justice. Never stiff or awkward, Florence brings the same gentle warmth to her character that she does in all of her movies. Tender, cynical, outraged, the loyal girlfriend, she brings it all home. The print I saw is in need of a film restoration, its grainy, very dark in spots, this is a movie that needs to be seen in a good print. These movies are what makes the 30's and 40's come alive.

Routine Monogram programmer. There's really nothing much to distinguish the 55-minutes. The plot's been around the block a few times-- a city is corrupted by a strategically placed gang whose leader is least suspected. Because of public pressure, a rather inept attorney Andrews (Baxter) is maneuvered by the gang's leader into investigating the corruption, confident he'll bungle things. However, Andrews wants to impress his wavering girlfriend Ann (Rice), so he works to improve his skills in his new job. Thus, surprises ensue.

It's all done in competent, if forgettable, fashion. The story simply unfolds, minus atmosphere or suspenseful touches. Still, I was impressed by actress Rice who delivers a spirited turn, while a sleekly handsome Baxter gets a rare leading role. Their contrasting personas make for believable conflict. So if you've got a spare hour, you'll be entertained if not impressed.

This was released two days before pearl harbor, so it was doomed from the start. And badly in need of a restoration,which it isn't going to get. The picture and sound quality are just awful, probably the result of being copied over and over. Ann, a newspaper reporter (rice) gets caught up in a story about the mob, who has been interfering with jury witnesses. And she happens to be dating roger, the assistant district attorney (baxter). When roger is appointed to head up a special committee, but there's more to that appointment than meets the eye. Flo rice sounds and acts just like lucille ball, at least to me. So ann decides to get to the bottom of things. They jam a lot into this sixty five minutes from supreme pictures. Lots of talking. Pretty low budget. The usual cops versus gangster story. Kind of a manufactured argument between ann and roger, but I guess we have to buy into the story. It's okay, if a bit over the top. Directed by lew collins. Died pretty young at 55. Constance worth also died young at 50.

"Borrowed Hero" is a decent B-movie with a few twists that make it interesting. Early in the story, Roger (Alan Baxter) is in the right place at the right time. When a wanted criminal is on the run, he stumbles into Roger and police soon arrive to arrest the crook....and suddenly Roger is a hero. Surprisingly, soon the governor appoints Roger as the special prosecutor (since, apparently, he is a lawyer). Apparently, some criminal underground is alive and well...and the current prosecutor hasn't been able to turn up any evidence.

Considering that Roger only became famous by accident (and he was more than willing to admit this), expectations for him are low. However, Roger is earnest and not nearly as inept as everyone expects. So what DOES he do? Well, when the underground seems unstoppable, he does what any government official would do....he breaks the law in order to uphold it!

Overall, this is a very interesting film....not brilliant but certainly better than the average cheap B-movie...which it is.