The Irish in Us (1935) User Reviews

A Fine James Cagney movie

[tim_smit1836 · 7/10 · 17 March 2007]

"The Irish in Us" is a fine Cagney venue. He is surrounded by a good supporting cast with Pat O'Brien (Patrick O'Hara), Frank McHugh (Mike O'Hara) and Allen Jenkins (Carbarn Hammerschlog). Olivia de Havilland (Lucille Jackson) gives a solid and steady performance in only her second movie of her career. Veteran actress Mary Gordon (Ma O'Hara) lends a strong presence as the tough but caring Irish mother. The chemistry between the two women is very believable. The boxing scene between Harvey Parry (Joe Delancy), the champ and Cagney is non-stop action packed and shows Cagney at his best. I highly recommend this movie for all.

Not very tasty Irish Stew

[st-shot · 5/10 · 25 March 2012]

Lifetime best friends James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, Frank Mchugh and other good buddy Allen Jenkins hook up in this rather far fetched punchless comedy about an Irish mother and her three unmarried boys still living at home. I can only imagine the fun the guys had making this picture together, it's a shame it doesn't transfer to the screen.

Two of Ma O'Hara's (Mary Gordon) sons have secure jobs as a fireman (McHugh) and cop (O'Brien) while a third (Cagney) is trying to make it as a fight manager with a screw loose pug (Jenkins). When a woman (Olivia DeHaviland) comes between Cagney and O'Brien, the former moves out causing Ma, to fret.

The boys all predictably do what's expected of them; Cagney is energized and fast talking, O'Brien brooding and introspective, McHugh elfin, Jenkins punchy. The plot moves from silly to absurd fast and the sentimental tug with strains of When Irish Eyes are Smiling always near by is blatant. DeHaviland as a confident, modern woman seems almost out of place with her cool rational compared to the entire O'Hara clan in a film so dedicated to a target audience the closing credit plays over a shamrock. The Irish in Us is one bowl of lukewarm blarney.

"Of course, I don't look so good with my clothes on."

[classicsoncall · 6/10 · 17 March 2008]

So it's St. Patrick's Day, and something tells me to go through my unviewed stack of Jimmy Cagney films. I get to "The Irish In Us" and figure it's got to be cosmic serendipity, there's no question that this is the one for today. This 1935 film offers all the elements of an early Warner Brothers flick set in New York City, and an opening scene gets things going as Ma O'Hara (Mary Gordon) uses the old clothesline transfer to send a stick of butter to her neighbor across the way. Living in The City back then was probably pretty cool, it certainly played on screen as a 'good old days' kind of memory.

The title of the picture never even gives a hint that it's going to be a boxing story built around a romance, which itself is built around a rivalry between a pair of brothers, with a third brother thrown in for good measure. You couldn't ask for a better Irish trio than Pat O'Brien, Cagney, and Frank McHugh as the O'Hara's, and since it was a '30's era First National Picture, they found a way to get Allen Jenkins involved as well, as a moniker challenged fighter named Carbarn Hammerschlog, by way of Hershkowitz. Jenkins' bit consists of swinging away wildly any time he hears a bell ring, and that happens just enough times not to wear out it's welcome.

The main story though, has to do with Lucille Jackson (Olivia DeHavilland) coming between Pat (O'Brien) and Danny (Cagney), which forces Ma O'Hara to use all her motherly skills to keep the family from falling apart. There's really no question how all this will turn out, except for the result of the boxing finale which would be virtually impossible. I mean, even Rocky Balboa didn't win his first title fight, and he was ripped from a training regimen that would have put Danny and Carbarn into intensive care. I guess simpler times called for simpler solutions.

You know, I couldn't help thinking how much this picture resembled an East Side Kids flick from the same era. Cagney could have been Leo Gorcey's Muggs, O'Brien would have been Bobby Jordan's Danny, and I never realized how much of a resemblance there was between Allen Jenkins and Huntz Hall until he did his slapstick thing here. The East Siders also did a fair amount of boxing themed pictures, so from that perspective it isn't too much of a stretch.

It's too bad the film isn't available commercially; mine is from a private collector as are many of Cagney's earliest pictures. It's worth trying to catch it on one of the cable channels, most notably Turner Classics when they get into a Cagney riff. Come to think of it, they might have done that today, but I haven't checked. As a final thought, Frank McHugh and Allen Jenkins made quite a few pictures between them supporting Cagney and Humphrey Bogart. For an interesting switch from a boxing format to one involving professional wrestling, catch the pair in a 1938 Bogart picture called "Swing Your Lady". Once again, not available commercially, but it's worth it to catch Bogey in his goofiest role.

A good comedy tribute to the Irish in New York City, with the stars in fine form.

[Art-22 · 6/10 · 15 January 1999]

The stars here never give a bad performance, so that I had fun watching this film despite a routine dissension-causing romantic rivalry between James Cagney and his brother, Pat O'Brien, for lovely Olivia de Havilland and an improbable ending. My only complaint was the character of Allen Jenkins, a fighter who starts swinging crazily every time he hears a bell. That got to be a bit tedious, although it was an important part of the plot. O'Brien plays a policeman while his younger brother, Frank McHugh, plays a fireman. They're sort of a microcosm of the Irish in New York City, with Cagney playing a would-be fight manager of Jenkins, and Mary Gordon trying to keep her family together. McHugh and Jenkins provide much of the comedy and the boxing match at the end was very well staged and quite exciting. You can't really go wrong with this film.

Filmmakers sometimes forget: A newspaper reports that Harvey Perry is the welterweight champion, but he's introduced into the ring as the middleweight champion.

A great introduction film for would-be Cagney fans

[maidenjedi · 30 May 2003]

Though hard to find (it is not available on VHS or DVD), this film is worth catching at any hour Turner Classic Films decides to air it at. A cute cookie-cutter comedy at first glance, this film stars James Cagney and Olivia de Havilland, as well as lesser-known (today, not then) stars Pat O'Brien and Frank McHugh (Father Tim in the Crosby classic "Going My Way").

Cagney is the youngest (Danny) of three Irish brothers all living with their mother (played by Scotswoman Mary Gordon - look for Cagney's ad lib about the "wee bit of Scotch" coming out in her). Oldest brother Patrick brings home nice girl de Havilland, and Danny falls for her. The plot includes a boxing match, a Fireman's Ball, and plenty of New York Irish stereotypes. It adds up to a charming couple of hours, still in good condition and standing the test of time very well. Comedy that does that is worth waiting to see.

Cagney's performance stands out, because he's so very much in character and immersed in the story, despite the reported shooting time of eighteen days. This was just another MGM product back in the day, and it'd be worth lobbying to get it out on DVD today for posterity.

Mrs. O'Hara And Her Three Sons

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 14 December 2007]

The Irish in Us has Mary Gordon as a buxom Irish-American mother with three proud sons. Pat O'Brien a cop, Frank McHugh a fireman, and James Cagney a man with big ideas. The O'Hara family is built along the lines of the Beebe family in three years later in Paramount's Sing You Sinners that had Elizabeth Patterson as Mrs. Beebe with her three sons, Fred MacMurray, Donald O'Connor, and Bing Crosby. The only difference between the O'Haras and the Beebes is that the O'Haras aren't musical.

But they are a charming bunch even though Olivia DeHavilland comes between Cagney and O'Brien. As in the Crosby and Hope films, guess who she winds up with in the end?

Cagney's latest idea is to be a boxing promoter and he's got this punch drunk fighter played very endearingly by Allen Jenkins on whom he pins his hopes. Cagney's done a little boxing in the past himself, a fact that stands him in good stead at the climax.

This is the only time in the Cagney/O'Brien series of films that the two of them ever were blood relations and they even get Frank McHugh in there as well. Olivia DeHavilland has very little to do in this film, but sit around and look pretty. She does that very well, but it was films like this for her that made her fight for better parts that she knew she was capable of. This film while entertaining is strictly a testosterone affair.

The Irish In Us if it ever comes out on VHS and/or DVD should be seen back to back with Sing You Sinners if that ever comes out on VHS or DVD. You can't go wrong with either.

Lightweight but enjoyable.

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 25 March 2014]

Years ago, I read James Cagney's autobiography. In it he talked about 'the Irish mafia'--a group of very close friends he had on and off camera. This is a rare case where all four members of this group were together in the same film--Cagney, Pat O'Brien, Frank McHugh and Allan Jenkins (fine, I don't think Jenkins was Irish--but he was still a member of this group of friends). It looks like the friends had a lovely time making the film but it is an awfully lightweight and rather brainless film. Enjoyable...but brainless.

Ma O'Hara (Mary Gordon) has three grown sons that live with her: Danny (Cagney), Pat (O'Brien) and Mike (McHugh). While Pat and Mike respectable jobs, Danny, the youngest, is a bit of a dreamer and hopes to make his fortune managing boxers. However, he has nothing to show for his efforts and Ma is hoping he'll soon follow in his brothers' footsteps.

Into this family come two people. First, a brainless boxer named 'Carbarn' (Jenkins)--and he's the least likely looking boxer I can recall having seen in film. Second, Pat brings home Lucille (Olivia de Havilland) and plans on marrying her. However, they barely know each other and Pat is seriously premature. To make it worse, Lucille has already met Danny...and is quite interested. So what's to become of all these characters? Well, it all comes to a head at one of the most ridiculous boxing matches on film where a first-time fighter gets to fight the champ!!!

The whole picture is ridiculous and mindless...but also kind of fun. It's a turn your brain off and enjoy sort of time-passer. Agreeable but very, very slight due to the fluff-like plot that never seems the least bit real. What saves it is the likability of the actors...period.

"From now on I ain't gonna let meself think of sex of any kind."

[utgard14 · 7/10 · 13 July 2016]

Enjoyable comedy/drama from Warner Bros. with James Cagney and Pat O'Brien as Irish-American brothers who have a falling out when pretty Olivia de Havilland comes between them. I won't spoil the ending for you but, if you've seen even one Cagney/O'Brien movie before, you can probably guess who gets the girl. What makes this one work isn't the tired plot but the great cast, with longtime friends Cagney and O'Brien joined by their buddies Frank McHugh and a scene-stealing Allen Jenkins. All four of these guys are fun to watch and have a wonderful comedic chemistry with each other. Olivia de Havilland is lovely in one of her earliest roles. Mary Gordon is impossible to dislike as the saintly Ma O'Hara. It's a good movie of its type, lightweight mostly but serious in some parts. It's well-paced and the cast, as I said before, is excellent.

They can't all be winners

[stevenfallonnyc77 · 5/10 · 2 November 2022]

James Cagney is one of Hollywood's true legends, and he's really the only reason to sit through this oft-painful comedy that is more miss than hit.

Lots of familiar Warner's faces in this one, including three brothers, Cagney (the troublemaker boxing promoter), cop Pat O'Brien and fireman Frank McHugh. For some reason they all still live at home with Ma, who's a friendly gal. Cagney takes in a boxer (Allen Jenkins) who goes nuts when he hears bells or sirens.

Mixed in with the plot of Cagney training Jenkins for a big fight, Cagney falls for his brother's (O'Brien) date, Olivia de Havilland, looking quite gorgeous. She in turn falls for him, because what girl wouldn't take Cagney over O'Brien, who always seems to play wallflowers? The bros then have a big spat. O'Brien was even talking marriage with this girl, which was news to her, as they've only known each other a few weeks.

The big problem with "The Irish in Us" is that the comedy is so forced and strained. McHugh and Jenkins especially go way overboard, and are painful to watch as they are obviously trying way too hard. They're usually fantastic as comic relief but too much is simply too much.

Also, Olivia de Havilland is pretty much virtually the only young woman in the movie with lines, with rare exception. Ma gets a real lot of screen time and lines, and some scenes with her are way too long. She's sweet and all that but again, with Ma, too much is too much. Her comedy at the boxing match is also pretty bad.

Cagney though saves the viewing experience even if he can't save the movie, because he's always fun to watch.

You may sit through "The Irish in Us" once, and once will be enough.

Cast is better than story

[csteidler · 7/10 · 28 November 2017]

Quintessential Irish-American movie mother Mary Gordon lives in a hectic apartment with her three "boys":

Pat O'Brien is a cop, Frank McHugh is a fireman, and James Cagney— well, Cagney has no real job apparently but he fancies himself a fight manager and is his mother's favorite.

It's a sentimental and predictable setup and while the dialog early on is certainly not great, the actors hang in there and make it work —particularly O'Brien and Cagney, who show a knack for taking exchanges that look absolutely awful on the page and giving them real bite:

O'Brien: "Say, let me tell you something, there's lots worse things than being a cop." Cagney: "But I don't wanna be a cop!"

The plot eventually adds Allen Jenkins as a streetcar conductor Cagney tries to turn into a boxer. Olivia de Havilland is fine as a police commissioner's daughter—she catches O'Brien's eye but Cagney catches hers, causing family complications.

It's all pretty dated, I guess, but the picture does pick up steam as Cagney spends more time on the screen, and you'd have to be a hardboiled viewer indeed not to enjoy seeing Cagney suit up and step into the ring himself as an emergency sub when Jenkins gets drunk just before the big fight....

Not a classic but the cast certainly makes this one worthwhile. Also, Allen Jenkins' character has a truly great name: Carbarn Hammerschlog.

Simple but cute

[kijii · 7/10 · 5 November 2016]

This is a simple, but cute, comedy about the O'Hara family, (a mother and her three sons) living together in a New York City apartment. The three live-at-home brothers are: a cop, Pat (Pat O'Brien), a fireman, Mike (Frank McHugh), and an unemployed fight promoter, Danny (James Cagney).

Danny is currently promoting his latest discovery, 'Carbarn' (Allen Jenkins). The only problem—or greatest asset—with 'Carbarn' is that he springs into a fight every time he hears a bell ring.

But for me, the most entertaining member of the family is Ma O'Hara wonderfully played by Mary Gordon. Pat is in love with the police captain's daughter, Lucille (Olivia de Havilland) and just assumes he is going to marry her. The problem is she doesn't love him that much.

Irish blarney in a NYC household...breezy comedy...

[Doylenf · 2 June 2003]

I usually enjoyed the old WB comedies for their great supporting casts, but although THE IRISH IN US is nicely paced with a good cast, there is too much of Frank McHugh for my taste. McHugh is given lots of low comedy scenes that he plays for laughs but makes the comedy seem much too forced at times. Much more bearable is Allen Jenkins as a punch-drunk fighter who goes crazy every time he hears a bell ringing.

As for the star trio, Cagney, de Havilland and O'Brien, they've all done better work in other Warner programmers. Here they are stuck with rather routine assignments which they carry off with customary charm and skill. De Havilland is considerably toned down from her first role in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM and shows that she caught on quickly to the more restrained acting technique required by the screen.

Mary Gordon does a nice job as the warm-hearted Irish mother of Jimmy and Pat, anxious to have her sons on good behavior when Pat's girlfriend, Olivia, pays a visit. She and de Havilland have a warm element in their performances that helps the comedy glow.

All in all, an entertaining, if routine Warner comedy with the usual stock players doing their best.

Watch for de Havilland and Cagney

[gbill-74877 · 6/10 · 8 November 2019]

It made my heart warm to see the scenes with Olivia de Havilland looking up into James Cagney's eyes, and it made me smile when Cagney skipped rope in his short shorts while helping a boxer train. Olivia de Havilland was 19 and this was just her second film, so for that alone it's worth taking a look. If you don't like those two actors though, you can certainly skip this one, because it's mediocre at best. It tries to be a romance, family study, comedy, and boxing film, and doesn't do any of them particularly well. Ultimately it decides to be a boxing film, but even then it can't help itself but show too much of the stupid antics of one of the three brothers (Frank McHugh). The other throwaway character is the boxer named Carbarn Hammerschlog (jeez, what a name, played Allen Jenkins). Jenkins doesn't look a bit like a boxer, and his character is a clown who starts swinging his fists maniacally any time he hears a bell ring (a tired and unfortunately repeated gag). The love triangle involving two brothers (Cagney and Pat O'Brien) and de Havilland has some nice moments, including those with the dear old mom (Mary Gordon, who was ironically Scottish, not Irish). Cagney looks pretty good in the ring too, fighting stuntman Harvey Parry. It's a shame the script is so haphazard and unfocused.

Fight For Your Lady

[lugonian · 7/10 · 29 March 2020]

THE IRISH IN US (Warner Brothers, 1935), directed by Lloyd Bacon, ranks one of the many Irish family related themes for its time, some notably directed by John Ford for Fox Studios. With Ford's Academy Award winning direction of 1935 for his dramatic and dark Irish Rebellion story of THE INFORMER (RKO) starring Victor McLaglen, THE IRISH IN US is quite the opposite, being a lighthearted comedy about a typical Irish family of Seventh Avenue in New York City featuring the cast of well known Irish actors.

As the underscoring of "When Irish Eyes are Smiling," fades, the story introduces Mrs. O'Hara (Mary Gordon), a widowed mother, preparing breakfast for her three grown sons: Pat O'Hara (Pat O'Brien), an officer of the law; Mike (Frank McHugh), a fireman; and Danny (James Cagney), a lazy loafer who looks for excuses not to work to earn a living. Aside from being spoiled by his mother for being the youngest of the family, Danny acquires a new profession for himself as a self-employed fight promoter for "Car Barn" Hammerschlos (Allen Jenkins), a flop prizefighter he brought home the night before, who happens to be a streetcar conductor who starts punching at the sound of a bell. Pat is in love with Lucille Jackson (Olivia De Havilland), daughter of his police captain (J. Farrell MacDonald), and invites her to meet his family for dinner that evening. Before the gathering, Danny had earlier met Lucille while jogging with Car Barn in Central Park, assisting her by changing the flat tire of her car. The dinner fails as Car Barn starts socking at the sound of he doorbell, putting Pat and Mike to the floor. As Pat recuperates in his bed, Danny drives Lucille home. At the fireman's ball, Danny and Lucille have fallen in love and are caught kissing by Pat. With Pat no longer on speaking terms with Danny, who has moved out of their home, further complications ensue for Danny as he ends up in the boxing ring opposite championship boxer, Joe Delaney (Harvey Perry), at the police benefit with the O'Hara clan and Lucille watching from their seats. Others in the cast include: Mabel Colcord (Mrs. Adams); with Edward Gargan and Edward Keane in smaller roles.

With THE IRISH IN US being the third collaboration of James Cagney and Pat O'Brien, this was the first time they appeared as brothers. Though the movie US is far from their iconic teaming to their classic masterpiece of ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES (1938), the Cagney and O'Brien luck of the Irish make this routine story more watchable. Mary Gordon, best known for playing Mrs. Hudson, the landlady, in the Basil Rathbone/"Sherlock Holmes" mysteries of the 1940s, gets a sizable role here as the outspoken mother with a heart of gold. Frank McHugh as the third brother with no female conflicts nor romance interest, gets his usual comedy relief as well as Allen Jenkins as a punch drunk boxer. For being a Cagney and O'Brien starrer, Olivia De Havilland, still a newcomer to the screen following her motion picture debut of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (1935) that also featured Cagney and McHugh, would soon elevate her star status with her final 1935 release pf CAPTAIN BLOOD starring another newcomer to the screen, Errol Flynn. De Havilland would team with Cagney one more time in the now comedy classic, THE STRAWBERRY BLONDE (1941).

With THE IRISH IN US commonly broadcast on commercial television on St. Patrick's Day (notably New York City's WNBC, Channel 4, from 1970-1973) during the after midnight hours, this 84 minute product with screenplay by Earl Baldwin, is available on both DVD and cable television's Turner Classic Movies. (**1/2 shamrocks)

Nothing like that fighting Irish spirit.

[mark.waltz · 7/10 · 22 August 2020]

An already-established Warner Brothers stock company adds one new contract player in this very enjoyable feisty drama about, what else, an Irish American family and their struggles to find the American dream. The family includes loving mother Mary Gordon (complete with Scottish accent) and her three sons: James Cagney, Pat O'Brien and Frank McHugh. Gordon has her hands full with the three sons who still live at home so she'd like nothing more for one of them to get married sells a balance of men to women can be closer to even.

Along Comes Olivia de Havilland home Pat O'Brien is dating, but Cagney takes a fancy to her as well. With the help of brother McHugh, they work together to promote fighter Allen Jenkins, and this leads to exciting boxing sequences that are mixed with that feisty comedy that only Warner Brothers could get away with without upsetting the Hays code.

One of the highlights of the scenes is Jenkins preparing for a fight, suffering from a toothache and utilizing gin at McHugh's advice to relieve the pain. Of course he swallows it, and that puts Cagney into the ring. In the print I saw, when they look at the bottle of booze, the gin seems to have a yellow tint to it which if intentional is an interesting and subtle effect.

While her Scottish accent is distracting, Gordon is very good as the loving mother who seems to have a penchant for Cagney at the expense of the others and that creates a bit of a rivalry between him and O'Brien outside of their interest in the lovely De Havilland in her first year in pictures. Gordon may be sweet, but her character certainly knows how to get feisty with the best of them especially when she sees her son about to start the fight.

Well everybody gets a chance to be humorous, it's McHugh who gets the bulk of the laughs obviously especially when with Jenkins. Cagney & O'Brien get their share of feisty seems but the bulk of their stories focuses on the drama and the action. De Havilland hasn't yet picture astride here as a top dramatic star, but she certainly is Cinematic and unique among the usual lineup of Warner Brothers contract players. This has every element that makes for a successful picture, and it really stands the test of time as far as great entertainment goes.

Most viewers who have seen BOTH this hard-hitting pugilistic epic and . . .

[oscaralbert · 8/10 · 9 April 2019]

. . . ROCKY's "Italian Stallion" have found THE IRISH IN US to be more realistic, more inspiring, and more entertaining than the later color film. "Danny O'Hara" is NOT a loser like ROCKY, even though he is more of a "long shot" underdog. A fight manager pressed into service as a last-minute substitute when his out-matched protégé suffers a freak accident immediately prior to a World Middle Weight Title Bout, Danny is knocked down seconds into his ring comeback when the Delaney Mob break their promise to treat the impromptu pairing as more of an exhibition match than a brutal, dog-eat-dog ring beat-down,. In their subsequent War of Attrition, Danny gets knocked down numerous times. Meanwhile, Danny's mom, girlfriend, and the brother whose gal he stole ALL are sitting ring-side, while his OTHER brother keeps losing Danny's teeth as his "corner man." (Note that there's more of a plot in that sentence than there is in the first 14 ROCKY flicks!) In Real Life, most World Champs trace their Roots to the Emerald Isle, which helps make THE IRISH IN US feel much more plausible than a champion emerging from a boot-shaped country!!

Great Fun

[Michael_Elliott · 25 February 2008]

Irish in Us, The (1935)

*** (out of 4)

James Cagney, Pat O'Brien and Frank McHugh play brothers in this lightweight Warner comedy/drama. Cagney and O'Brien have a falling out after Cagney steals his girl (Olivia de Havilland) and this leads to various problems, which comes full on during a boxing match. This film really doesn't offer anything new in the various teamings of Cagney and O'Brien but there's enough charm here to make the film worth watching. Cagney and O'Brien always work well together and that's true here as the two make for some nice laughs and fighting. McHugh and Allen Jenkins add nice comic support in their roles and it seems Allen's character, a boxer who goes nuts when he hears a bell, was inspired by The Three stooges short Punch Drunk. de Havilland is also very good here in her supporting role. The film ends on a ten or fifteen minute boxing match, which is shot very nice, although it does lead to a rather hokey ending.

Gotta love Ma

[jonerogers · 10/10 · 16 December 2018]

Well firstly I must wow the cast here...James Cagney, Pat O'Brian, Olivia De Havilland, Frank McHugh and Allen Jenkins....a truly fabulous group full of talent and Warner's cream brought together.

This film is absolutely filled with laughter and the time just rolled by so quick. O'Brian and Cagney always work well together and this is no exception. A lot of humour, a little romance and then there's Ma...whenever Cagney has a mother in any film he calls her Ma. I watched this and thought what a sweet relationship they played out and wished I had shown that much affection and love to my mum...

It really is a funny classic and one film that would never bore you. Go see it

A (spoofing) Politcally Correct review. (Definitely not the opinions of anybody here)

[redryan64 · 8/10 · 22 March 2016]

WELL NOW AFTER an opening like that, we wish to play Devil's Advocate today. What we are doing and the dissertation that follows are not the opinions of anyone employed by our writing staff (namely me).

WELL WARNER BROTHERS Studios really had nerve and expressed some inner dislike for those of us who are descended from our ancestors from the "Emerald Isle." What we are referring to is their depictions of the Irish in America. We're referring, of course, to the likes of their pictures such as THE FIGHTING 69th, MY WILD IRISH ROSE and YANKEE DOODLE DANDY.

BUT MOST OF all, we mean this THE IRISH IN US. How dare they portray a family of 3 grown-up brothers, all still living at home with their heavily brogue accented, widowed Mother (Mary Gordon). Next they put them in a blue collar, working man's neighborhood and in a tenement building yet!

ADDING INSULT TO the already extremely injured reputation of the "Narrow Backs"*, the 3 sons are portrayed as Pat a NYPD Cop (Pat O'Brien), Mike a NYC Fireman (Frank McHugh) and Danny aspiring Prizefighter Manager (James Cagney). Why there's not a Brain Surgeon, a Rocket Scientist or even a Real Estate Agent among them!

OKAY, THAT'S QUITE enough of our lampooning a "Politically Correct" reviewer. We hope that our extensive number of readers enjoyed it and we thank you for extending the opportunity to us this opportunity to "let it all hang out!"

NOW AS FOR this Warners Pot Boiler from 1935, we found it to be as good an enjoyable comedy that it was when we saw it while in Junior High, circa 1958. It was one of those many Warner Brothers productions &cartoons that were packaged for television through Associated Artist Productions. Collectively they taught the Baby Boomer generation just who were Cagney, Bogart, O'Brien, Raft & Flynn were and what they meant to the audiences of the 1930's and '40's.

THE MOVIE IS an excellent blend of several elements; but it still qualifies as being classified as a 'Comedy'; especially in the Classic sense. Although there are some serious moments here and there, the overall effect and tone are light and very enjoyable.

AN ELEMENT THAT one wouldn't expect in an otherwise comic story is that of what has long been called "the Eternal Triangle." And this yet is between two brothers over one Lucielle Jackson! This was a portrayal by Miss Olivia de Haviland that was unusual; for she most often was a character of high upbringing and wealth even. her character was daughter of the Police Captain Jackson (J. Farrell Mac Donald).

ANOTHER FEATURE INCORPORATED into the film is that of the work turned in by Allen Jenkins as "Car-Barn" the Boxer. He provides so much of the genuine screen laughs even though his part was that of a second banana funny man. So much of the comic business was done by Frank McHugh.

BUT IT CAN be said that Mr. Jenkins really did have the "Last Laugh"; that coming in the final fade-out Knowing how to end a comedy is a most important skill. If not handled properly it can greatly diminish a film's effectiveness.

WHILE THIS FILM is certainly not any that the American Film Institute will be honoring with an inclusion on one of their Top 100 lists, it is still worth viewing; as it does a fine job of showcasing early Cagney, de Havilland & O'Brien work.

NOTE: * The term "Narrow Back" is slang used by native born Irish to describe one of us born here in the USA> (Origin unknown).