The Saint in New York (film)
Encyclopedia
The Saint in New York is a 1938 crime film
, based on Leslie Charteris
's novel of the same name
. Released by RKO Pictures
, The Saint in New York marks the first screen appearance of Simon Templar
- "the Saint". Louis Hayward
stars as the titular character, with Kay Sutton as his love interest.
), a respected leading citizen and member of the commission, suggests they resort to drastic measures and recruit Simon Templar (Louis Hayward), the "Saint", a man with a reputation for dealing with criminals outside the law. The commissioner reluctantly agrees to give the Saint free rein to do what he must.
Valcross spends months tracking the Saint down, following a trail of dead (criminal) bodies across Europe and South America. Templar is intrigued by the challenge and is given a list of six gangsters whose removal would hopefully bring peace to the city.
Disguised as a nun, the Saint kills Irbell just as he is about to shoot his most determined enemy, Inspector Henry Fernack (Jonathan Hale
). (This differs from the original novel in which the Saint shoots an accused cop-killer in cold blood after the man walks free from court.) As he works his way through the list, Templar learns that the mysterious "Big Fellow" is the mastermind behind them all, though he hides his identity by communicating with his underlings solely through Fay Edwards (Kay Sutton). Templar meets Fay, and they are attracted to each other. She saves his life twice when his recklessness gets him in trouble. The Saint disposes of the last of the six original targets, Hutch Rellin (Sig Ruman
), leaving only their leader.
Fay has given her word not to divulge the Big Fellow's name, but agrees to point him out when she meets him the next morning at the bank where the profits of three years worth of crime have been kept. When Valcross happens by, Templar tells him why he is waiting there. Valcross starts to leave, but when Fay shows up, she recognizes him. He fatally shoots her before Templar guns down the Big Fellow. Valcross wanted Templar to kill his men so he would not have to share the loot.
(Sanders later being replaced by Hugh Sinclair
), Hayward would return to the role 15 years later in 1953
's The Saint's Girl Friday
(a.k.a. The Saint's Return).
In the books, Templar's nemesis on the side of law and order is Inspector Claud Eustace Teal; for the film series it was decided to replace that character with Inspector Henry Fernack, who would become a regular in the RKO film series.
In 1937, Alfred Hitchcock
met with Lillie Messinger of RKO Pictures
. Hitchcock showed interest in coming to America and making The Saint in New York. Ultimately, the film was made a year later with Ben Holmes
directing.
Crime film
Crime films are films which focus on the lives of criminals. The stylistic approach to a crime film varies from realistic portrayals of real-life criminal figures, to the far-fetched evil doings of imaginary arch-villains. Criminal acts are almost always glorified in these movies.- Plays and films...
, based on Leslie Charteris
Leslie Charteris
Leslie Charteris , born Leslie Charles Bowyer-Yin, was a half-Chinese, half English author of primarily mystery fiction, as well as a screenwriter. He was best known for his many books chronicling the adventures of Simon Templar, alias "The Saint."-Early life:Charteris was born to a Chinese father...
's novel of the same name
The Saint in New York
The Saint in New York is a mystery novel by Leslie Charteris, first published in the United Kingdom by Hodder and Stoughton in 1935. It was published later that year in the United States by Doubleday...
. Released by RKO Pictures
RKO Pictures
RKO Pictures is an American film production and distribution company. As RKO Radio Pictures Inc., it was one of the Big Five studios of Hollywood's Golden Age. The business was formed after the Keith-Albee-Orpheum theater chains and Joseph P...
, The Saint in New York marks the first screen appearance of Simon Templar
Simon Templar
Simon Templar is a British fictional character known as The Saint featured in a long-running series of books by Leslie Charteris published between 1928 and 1963. After that date, other authors collaborated with Charteris on books until 1983; two additional works produced without Charteris’s...
- "the Saint". Louis Hayward
Louis Hayward
Louis Charles Hayward was a British actor born in South Africa.-Biography:Born in Johannesburg, Hayward began his screen work in British films, notably as Simon Templar in Leslie Charteris' The Saint in New York.] In 1939 he played a dual role in The Man in the Iron Mask.During World War II,...
stars as the titular character, with Kay Sutton as his love interest.
Plot
Police Lieutenant Martin, an officer leading the fight against New York gangsters, is killed. Jake Irbell is arrested and charged with his murder, but has to be released when prosecution witnesses are either coerced into changing their testimony or simply disappear. A civilian crime commission demands action of the police commissioner, but he has no fresh ideas. William Valcross (Frederick BurtonFrederick Burton (actor)
Frederick Burton , was an American actor. He appeared in 122 films between 1914 and 1947.He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA and died in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles...
), a respected leading citizen and member of the commission, suggests they resort to drastic measures and recruit Simon Templar (Louis Hayward), the "Saint", a man with a reputation for dealing with criminals outside the law. The commissioner reluctantly agrees to give the Saint free rein to do what he must.
Valcross spends months tracking the Saint down, following a trail of dead (criminal) bodies across Europe and South America. Templar is intrigued by the challenge and is given a list of six gangsters whose removal would hopefully bring peace to the city.
Disguised as a nun, the Saint kills Irbell just as he is about to shoot his most determined enemy, Inspector Henry Fernack (Jonathan Hale
Jonathan Hale
Jonathan Hale was a Canadian-born film and television actor.-Career:Born Jonathan Hatley in Ontario, Canada, Hale was well known as Dagwood Bumstead's boss, Julius Caesar Dithers, in the Blondie film series in the 1940s. He is also notable for playing Inspector Farnack in various The Saint films...
). (This differs from the original novel in which the Saint shoots an accused cop-killer in cold blood after the man walks free from court.) As he works his way through the list, Templar learns that the mysterious "Big Fellow" is the mastermind behind them all, though he hides his identity by communicating with his underlings solely through Fay Edwards (Kay Sutton). Templar meets Fay, and they are attracted to each other. She saves his life twice when his recklessness gets him in trouble. The Saint disposes of the last of the six original targets, Hutch Rellin (Sig Ruman
Sig Ruman
Sig Ruman was a German-American actor known for his comic portrayals of pompous villains.-Life and career:...
), leaving only their leader.
Fay has given her word not to divulge the Big Fellow's name, but agrees to point him out when she meets him the next morning at the bank where the profits of three years worth of crime have been kept. When Valcross happens by, Templar tells him why he is waiting there. Valcross starts to leave, but when Fay shows up, she recognizes him. He fatally shoots her before Templar guns down the Big Fellow. Valcross wanted Templar to kill his men so he would not have to share the loot.
Cast
- Louis HaywardLouis HaywardLouis Charles Hayward was a British actor born in South Africa.-Biography:Born in Johannesburg, Hayward began his screen work in British films, notably as Simon Templar in Leslie Charteris' The Saint in New York.] In 1939 he played a dual role in The Man in the Iron Mask.During World War II,...
as Simon Templar - Kay Sutton as Fay Edwards
- Sig RumanSig RumanSig Ruman was a German-American actor known for his comic portrayals of pompous villains.-Life and career:...
as Hutch Rellin (as Sig Rumann) - Jonathan HaleJonathan HaleJonathan Hale was a Canadian-born film and television actor.-Career:Born Jonathan Hatley in Ontario, Canada, Hale was well known as Dagwood Bumstead's boss, Julius Caesar Dithers, in the Blondie film series in the 1940s. He is also notable for playing Inspector Farnack in various The Saint films...
as Inspector Henry Fernack - Jack CarsonJack CarsonJohn Elmer "Jack" Carson was a Canadian-born U.S.-based film actor.Jack Carson was one of the most popular character actors during the 'golden age of Hollywood', with a film career spanning the 1930s, '40s and '50s...
as Red Jenks, one of Hutch's men - Paul GuilfoylePaul Guilfoyle (actor born in 1902)Paul Guilfoyle was an American stage, film, and television actor...
as Hymie Fanro, another of Hutch's men. He is greatly impressed by the Saint's style. - Frederick BurtonFrederick Burton (actor)Frederick Burton , was an American actor. He appeared in 122 films between 1914 and 1947.He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA and died in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles...
as William Valcross - Ben WeldenBen WeldenBen Welden was an American character actor who played a wide variety of Damon Runyon-type gangsters in various movies and television shows...
as Boots "Pappy" Papinoff, one of the six gangsters - Charles HaltonCharles HaltonCharles Halton was a stern-faced American character actor who appeared in over 180 films.One of his most memorable portrayals was as Carter, the bank examiner in It's a Wonderful Life...
as Vincent Nather, Irbell's lawyer
Production
Hayward is generally praised for his portrayal of the Saint; his performance has been described as "a poor man’s... Orson Welles", considered "rakish" while staying faithful to Charteris' vision. After being replaced in the series by George SandersGeorge Sanders
George Sanders was a British actor.George Sanders may also refer to:*George Sanders , Victoria Cross recipient in World War I...
(Sanders later being replaced by Hugh Sinclair
Hugh Sinclair
Admiral Sir Hugh Francis Paget Sinclair KCB , nicknamed "Quex", was a British intelligence officer. Between 1919 and 1921, he was Director of British Naval Intelligence, and helped to set up the Secret Intelligence Service before the Second World War.-Career:Sinclair joined the Royal Navy in the...
), Hayward would return to the role 15 years later in 1953
1953 in film
The year 1953 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*September 16 — The Robe debuts as the first anamorphic, widescreen CinemaScope film.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:A...
's The Saint's Girl Friday
The Saint's Girl Friday
The Saint's Girl Friday is the title of an Anglo-American crime thriller distributed by RKO in 1953, filmed by Hammer Film Productions and Royal Productions in London, and produced by Anthony Hinds and Julian Lesser. American release of the film occurred in 1954...
(a.k.a. The Saint's Return).
In the books, Templar's nemesis on the side of law and order is Inspector Claud Eustace Teal; for the film series it was decided to replace that character with Inspector Henry Fernack, who would become a regular in the RKO film series.
In 1937, Alfred Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock
Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE was a British film director and producer. He pioneered many techniques in the suspense and psychological thriller genres. After a successful career in British cinema in both silent films and early talkies, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood...
met with Lillie Messinger of RKO Pictures
RKO Pictures
RKO Pictures is an American film production and distribution company. As RKO Radio Pictures Inc., it was one of the Big Five studios of Hollywood's Golden Age. The business was formed after the Keith-Albee-Orpheum theater chains and Joseph P...
. Hitchcock showed interest in coming to America and making The Saint in New York. Ultimately, the film was made a year later with Ben Holmes
Ben Holmes
Ben Holmes was an American film director and screenwriter. He directed 56 films between 1929 and 1944...
directing.