Mr. Soft Touch (1949) is an intriguing blend of classic film noir and sweet romantic comedy, sprinkled with a generous helping of holiday cheer and a dash of Damon Runyon. Glenn Ford stars as Joe Miracle, a World War II veteran who returns to San Francisco following the war to discover that the mob, in his absence, has cheated him out of his share in a nightclub business and murdered his partner. To even the score, Joe robs the nightclub and makes plans to leave town on Christmas Eve with the loot. In the meantime, Joe hides out in a settlement house run by Jenny Jones (Evelyn Keyes), a compassionate social worker who mistakes Joe for a down-on-his-luck musician who needs a helping hand. As Joe begins to fall for Jenny, however, a newspaper columnist (John Ireland) discovers his true identity, and the mob is soon hot on his trail. With the settlement house in danger and his feelings torn over Jenny, Joe must decide where his heart truly lies.
This fast-paced entertaining genre hybrid has the interesting distinction of having not one, but two directors behind the camera: Gordon Douglas and Henry Levin. Douglas (
The Detective [1968],
They Call Me Mister Tibbs! [1970]) received his start in motion pictures under the guidance of the legendary Hal Roach, directing a number of
Our Gang shorts in the 1930s and gradually working his way up to features in Hollywood. The co-director, Henry Levin, also enjoyed a long and varied career, going on to direct such notable films as
Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959),
Where the Boys Are (1960), and
The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm (1962).
Fans of Glenn Ford will enjoy his touching role as Joe Miracle in this unsung and rarely seen holiday gem. He and lovely leading lady Evelyn Keyes make a winning pair and handle both elements of drama and romantic comedy in
Mr. Soft Touch with ease.
By Andrea Passafiume
