The Saint Takes Over

George Sanders and Wendy Barrie sit at the bar discussing a man in trouble. "Maybe he needs a guardian angel," suggests Sanders. "Or a patron saint," she replies. He pauses and squints at her: "Aren't they just about the same?"

Sanders is back as Simon Templar in this darker-than-usual Saint entry. Wendy Barrie is a fellow traveler whom Templar rescues from card sharps on board ship—and who turns out to be involved in the very case that has brought the Saint to New York once again.

The Saint's old friend and sometime nemesis Inspector Fernack is at the center of this plot—framed by mobsters who have planted $50,000 in his safe, Fernack is on suspension from the force. Jonathan Hale is strong as usual as Fernack, this time appreciative (mostly) of Templar's arrival on the scene to assist him.

Barrie's excellent performance—as a strong but sad, even tragic, figure—helps distinguish this film as one of the best in the Saint series. The interplay between Barrie and Sanders is especially good; while the plot may look like a formula B mystery, these are two highly skilled actors offering full performances.

Neatly constructed, it's an efficient but polished production. This is a good one.

P.S. Lest I give the idea that this movie is overly grim, I should mention that Paul Guilfoyle is quite good as a not very bright safecracker….and that any B movie fan will smile to see the great Cy Kendall listed in the opening credits as "Cyrus W. Kendall."