Black Legion (1937)

Black Legion
Directed by Archie Mayo
Written by Abem Finkel and William Wister Haines based on a story by Robert Lord
1937/USA
Warner Bros.
First viewing

Humphrey Bogart had one of his first leading roles in Black Legion, the story of a working man seduced by a Ku Klux Clan-style organization.

Frank Taylor (Bogart) is known as the best machine operator in the shop, at least by his friends.  The men kid Joe Dombrowski for always having his nose in a book.  When a job as foreman opens up, Frank goes shopping for a new car.  But the job goes to Joe and Frank is outraged.  Frank becomes easy prey to the Black Legion, a secret organization advocating “America for Americans” and terrorizing foreigners.  After they chase Dombrowski and his father out of town, Frank gets the coveted job. Soon, however, his life is in a tailspin and Frank discovers that it is far easier to join the Legion than to leave it. With Dick Foran as Frank’s friend Joe and Ann Sheridan as Joe’s girl.

This is a good solid Warner Brothers Depression-era social issues film.  Bogart is very good.  There are a lot of good 1937 details, such as that Frank is looking at an economical car that gets 18 miles per gallon.

Trailer