A Reel Retro Review: BLACK LEGION (1937)

With no new films to review for the foreseeable future, Reel Speak’s new feature, Reel Retro Reviews, will randomly review a classic film from the TCM broadcast schedule every Monday. Not just for the sake of filling time, but to hopefully introduce some classic, overlooked, and perhaps forgotten screen gems to those of us who may be unfamiliar or unawares of their existence.  

In 1941, Humphrey Bogart would have his breakthrough roles when he appeared in HIGH SIERRA and THE MALTESE FALCON…two films which would pave the way for his most significant role; that of Rick Blaine in CASABLANCA in 1942. But before he found his star in ascent, he was expected to become famous after his part in BLACK LEGION in 1937. 

Frank Taylor (Humphrey Bogart), a factor worker, is upset when he is passed up for promotion in favor of an immigrant. He is recruited into a secret white-vigilante organization, and while dressed in black robes and hoods…unleash terror on the immigrant community. 

Loosely based on the true story of a 1935 kidnapping and murder, BLACK LEGION follows Frank as he goes from all-American family man to ruthless vigilante at night in black robes and hoods. His efforts to keep his membership in the organization a secret leads him to a lot of sneaking around and lying to his wife (Erin O’Brien-Moore), and best friend (Dick Foran); actions that lead to tensions between them all. 

Frank’s turn to becoming anti-immigrant happens quickly, as it was only one failed promotion and a little goading from a fellow worker which pushes him to the Legion. While the film ticks off all the boxes in getting Frank and other characters from one place to another, it feels like it could have gone a little deeper; some sort of backstory or context to make Frank’s turn to the dark side seem not so abrupt. This trend continues to the finale, as Frank only becomes sorry for his actions because of the possibility of prison…and not for seeing the crimes against humanity that he committed. 

Director Archie Mayo still puts together a film that functions well and looks great. The scenes with the hooded Black Legion are scary enough, and there is a hint of film-noir going on with its long shadows and dimly lit nighttime scenes. The scenes of immigrant families being terrorized or killed are done well and shocking, even by today’s standards. 

Humphrey Bogart is excellent. He plays the character at first as an aw-shucks fella, and his turn to becoming a bad guy is striking. He’s a long way from the ice-cool characters that he would make famous five years down the road, but we can see the steps being taken here. The rest of the cast is very good, with Erin O’Brien-Moore standing out. 

The finale isn’t much of a shock, as we can see where Frank is headed early on. By movie’s end we’re not quite sure if he learned his lesson or not, but the message that the film sends is clear. BLACK LEGION was one of several films of this period relating to opposition to fascist and racist organizations; an era that would inspire decades after decades of anti-prejudice films. BLACK LEGION may not be the finest example of the period, but it is a necessary step towards the definitive ones that would come years later. 

BOTTOM LINE: Rent it

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Reel Facts: The Black Legion organization was based on The Klu Klux Klan, who would sue Warner Bros. for patent infringement. A judge threw out the case. The screenplay for BLACK LEGION, written by Robert Lord, would earn an Oscar nomination. It was hoped that BLACK LEGION would make Bogart a star, but Warners did not give the film any special treatment and promoted the film in their standard fashion.