A racketeer leaves his business, loses it, and is wounded trying
to get it back; then he finds happiness in a monastery.
Johnny Sarto (Edward G. Robinson) complains about a murder and
tells his gang at a table he is quitting and going to Europe.
Flo Addams (Ann Sothern) helps Johnny pack but learns he isn't
marrying her nor taking her. Johnny promises her a wedding and
gets her a job in a nightclub. Johnny buys a diamond in London,
a horse in Paris, and spends all his money before returning to
his business after five years.
Jack Buck (Humphrey Bogart) says he is boss and has Johnny thrown
out. Johnny learns that Flo moved to the Biltmore. She welcomes
him and says she bought the nightclub. Johnny calls Willie the
Knife (Allen Jenkins), who is hiding from Buck in a mental asylum.
Wealthy rancher Clarence Fletcher (Ralph Bellamy) calls Flo, who
has him drive Johnny and her. Gangsters follow them. Johnny tells
Willie to round up a mob. Clarence beats up two gangsters. Johnny's
men doubt he can take over Buck. Willie brings Mugsy (Richard
Lane) to Johnny, who makes him talk. Johnny sells a better protection
policy than Buck by force. Clarence invites Flo to his ranch,
but she goes to Buck to make peace. Buck offers to meet Johnny.
Flo goes with Clarence and calls Johnny to come get her, acting
drunk. Buck sees Johnny arrive. In the car Clarence is knocked
out. Buck makes Johnny go outside and get in a car. In the woods
Johnny runs and is shot; but he staggers to a monastery, where
Brother Superior (Donald Crisp) welcomes him.
Brother Wren (Charles D. Brown) tells Johnny how he can join.
Johnny recovers and signs up as Brother Orchid. Johnny excels
at milking by adding water and is given a flower plot. Johnny
has a boy work for him and owes him. Brother Superior reprimands
Johnny but forgives him. Johnny sees in a paper that Flo is to
wed Clarence. Johnny gets a ride to the city with Brother Superior
and calls on Flo, who comes in and faints. She explains and says
she loves him. Johnny says he'll wed her. Brother Superior tells
Johnny he couldn't sell the flowers because of Buck's protective
association. Johnny tells him he is leaving. Clarence is angry
but understands when Flo says she loves Johnny, who asks Clarence
and three men to help the monastery by driving out Buck and his
gang. They go and fight them. Police arrive and arrest Buck. Johnny
tells Clarence he doesn't really love Flo, gets $300 from him,
and sends him to her. Johnny gives the money to a woman washing
the floor. In the final scene Brother Superior announces they
can sell flowers again, and Johnny comes back.
The contrast between the violence and superficial values
of gangsters compared to the charitable kindness of monks provides
powerful drama and humor in this spiritualized gangster movie.