I picked this movie up off the DVD rack at the library at the behest of my eldest son, but I did not have high hopes for it--Humphrey Bogart is not my first choice for a 1950's comedian, and the genre of 1950's comedies is not something I seek out. So, against all odds, or at least many obstacles, I enjoyed this.
We're No Angels is adapted from a French play La Cuisine de Anges which was written by Albert Husson and ran on Broadway in 1953-1954.
The three 'angels' in this film are Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov, and Aldo Ray who escape from Devil's Island near Christmas time, and are now among hundreds of other paroled convicts in the French West Indies at the end of the nineteenth century. This was around the time Alfred Dreyfus was in Devil's Island so we know it was no fun place to be.
But these three seem to have a light hearted take life as it comes attitude. There's no whining from any of them about them being innocent of what got them there. But they want out and make it.Fate puts them in the hands of a family they first would like to rob for some getaway loot. But hearing and seeing the sad plight they're in they can't bring themselves to do it. Then of course comes the Christmas visit of a tyrannical cousin played with relish by Basil Rathbone whom they work for and the convicts work becomes a pleasure.
They are aided of course by a pet coral snake named Adolph that Ray keeps in a straw basket. In many ways Adolph is almost divinely driven to do his duty.
Humphrey Bogart, who was an unsuccessful embezzler in the film, has a surprisingly nice light touch for deadpan comedy. Too bad he didn't use it more often in films. This was a nice blend of comedy together with Bogey's gangster persona which we see more of in his films. On stage before he came to Hollywood, Bogart actually did a lot of light comedy.
Leo G. Carroll, Joan Bennett, and Gloria Talbott are the family who get some help on Christmas. The film itself is a great indication how the Deity or the fates in the 1950's did indeed move in mysterious ways. But do not be fooled--while there is a lot to be thankful for in this movie, it is by no means a traditional Christmas movie.
This may be the only chance audiences have to see Humphrey Bogart in an apron. We're No Angels has some good laughs, but its three heroes are hard to cheer for given their backgrounds. This film moves awfully slow.
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