Bannerline (1951) Online

Prolific director Don Weis' directorial debut, stars Keefe Brasselle as newspaper reporter Mike Perrivale, who devises a promotional stunt to further his career. Upon learning that cantankerous old history teacher Hugo Trimble (Lionel Barrymore, in one of his final performances) is dying, Mike writes up a glowing tribute, crediting various accomplishments (mostly fabricated) to Mr.Trimble. The well-meaning deed goes awry when crime boss Frankie Scarbine (J. Carroll Naish), angered that some of the civic reforms credited to Trimble may interfere with his own nefarious operations, threatens to make trouble for Mike. Fine performances from Brasselle, Barrymore, Sally Forrest as Mike's love interest, and veteran actor Lewis Stone as Josh.

Keefe Brasselle of all people stars in this film. His character, Mike Perrivale is an eager young reporter who is tired of handling dull stories. However, even when he is given more meaty stories, he's surprised to see that his editor (Larry Keating) is afraid to attack the real problem in the town--the mob boss, Frankie Scarbine (J. Carroll Naish). Mike becomes even more frustrated when he goes to visit a dying old teacher, Mr. Trimble (Lionel Barrymore)--a man who taught Mike and many others about good government and the like. So, to make Trimble's last days more pleasant, he arranges for a fake newspaper to be released just to Trimble announcing the investigation of Scarbine. However, Trimble sees through this...so what's next for Mike? Is he willing to put his life on the line to get the goods on Scarbine?

This film suffers from being way too sentimental and lacks realism. Everyone seems so earnest--unrealistically so. The film is poorly written and you could understand how this film didn't make Brasselle a household name.

This MGM feature is loaded with talent, but short on inspiration. Mike Perrivale (Gong Club laugh line Keefe Braselle) is a cub reporter tired of getting sent to cover ladies luncheons when much bigger stories beckon. His inspiration is his dying high school teacher Mr. Trimble (Lionel Barrymore in his penultimate film), and eventually Mike gets the scoop he's been looking for. Like many MGM features from the period, there's a palpable air of 'don't blacklist us' patriotism pervading Bannerline, and the film ends with the stirring Battle Hymn of the Republic playing over the credits. This predictable drama offers no thrills but will be enjoyed by fans of Barrymore and Spring Byington.

Warner Brothers was the Studio that seemed to Relish in "Message" Movies, MGM tried and Mostly Failed at its Attempts as it did with most of Their Film-Noirs.

At First seeing such Productions as Beneath Their Prestige, They, Late in the Game did give those Genres, although mostly relegated to the B-Unit, some Attention but it was Simply not Their Forte and it Showed.

This has got to be One of the most Overly Sentimental, Insipid, Soapy, and Sappy Newspaper, Crime, and Corruption Movies ever made. The Film Lacks any sort of Believable Resonance and the Lead Actor is so Bad its Cringe Inducing.

Lionel Barrymore, J. Carrol Naish, and Spring Byington can do nothing to Save this Awful Attempt to Explore Syndicated Crime Elements, the Overseeing Role of the Fourth Estate, and Apathetic Citizens.

A Complete Failure.