Manpower (1941)

Riddle: How do you turn a movie with a good supporting cast, good direction, and a good blue-collar story into an un-watchable disaster?  Answer: Cast George Raft, Marlene Dietrich and E.G. Robinson as the leads.

With Walsh directing, Eve Arden cracking wise, and Ward Bond/Alan Hale as the comic relief, this tale of two power-line men  battling over a "beautiful broad" should have been interesting in a working class  1940's  kind of way. But the 3 leads spoil it. We got 48 y/o paunchy New Yorker  E.G. Robinson as a two-fisted, tough with men,a sap with women, foreman. LOL! This part should gone to Cagney, Bogart, or Victor McLaglen. Then for the tough "clip joint" chippie we get - not Ida Lapino, Joan Crawford, or Joan Blondell - but Marlene "stone face"  Dietrich.  Imagine Marlene married to Eddie Robinson!  And the third leg in the love triangle? Its 41 y/o wooden George Raft. I'll give Raft credit, unlike the other 2 he doesn't embarrass himself.  But he doesn't add much to the part either.  Of course, Raft and Robinson - supposed buddies on-screen -  have zero bromance, and in real life ended up in a fist-fight.

Anyway, these 3 miscast leads ruin whatever this movie could have been. They're simply ridiculous in their assigned roles. Even George Raft agreed. He insulted Robinson throughout the filming, partly because he thought Robinson was miscast and should be off the picture.  Summary: Despite the all-star cast, avoid this turkey. Rating 1.5 of 4