O. Henry's Full House (1952) Anthology tribute to the stories by O. Henry, narrated by legendary author John Steinbeck, who appears on camera to introduce each story. Before discussing the individual shorts, I'd like to praise whoever selected the order, which often can make or break an omnibus film. The quality and tonal transitions are very smooth and I can't imagine this being presented in any other order.
The Cop and the Anthem (Dir: Henry Koster)
Starring Charles Laughton as a homeless man trying to land in jail for the cold winter. There's a touch of magical realism and divine intervention, anchored solidly by Laughton, who becomes more heartfelt and less pompous as the day plays out. There's a lot of undiscussed subtext for a short film. Marilyn Monroe contributes a memorable scene.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ - GoodThe Clarion Call (Dir: Henry Hathaway)
Two-fisted crime story with perhaps the best ending of the five shorts. Undone in a big way by Richard Widmark's overblown, annoying performance that's like Dan Duryea by way of The Joker
★ ★ ½ The Last Leaf (Dir: Jean Negulesco)
Sentimental tale about the will to live vs. a desire to die between sisters played by Anne Baxter and Jean Peters, but Gregory Ratoff (All About Eve) steals it as the stubborn, compassionate neighbor who lives above them.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ - GoodThe Ransom of Red Chief (Dir: Howard Hawks)
Adapted by the dream team of Ben Hecht, Nunnally Johnson and Charles Lederer and starring Fred Allen and Oscar Levant as kidnappers who get in over their heads, this was the first story I was familiar with. The jokes are constant, my favorite bit being the parents unemotional reaction to their son being kidnapped. Their sympathies are with the kidnappers who
"are clearly not from around here." However, it's all very deadpan and low-key, not what I expected from a master of screwball comedy.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ - OkayThe Gift of the Magi (Dir: Henry King)
A story I knew even better than Red Chief. Respectable adaptation of a classic Christmas tale, but it's hard to turn down the volume on so much sentiment and King chooses to go in the other direction. Luckily, Farley Granger is here (opposite Jeanne Crain) to flatten out the emotions as only he can.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ - Okay