Borrowed Hero (1941) User Reviews (7)

So....to uphold the law you should break it?!

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 3 June 2019]

"Borrowed Hero" is a decent B-movie with a few twists that make it interesting. Early in the story, Roger (Alan Baxter) is in the right place at the right time. When a wanted criminal is on the run, he stumbles into Roger and police soon arrive to arrest the crook....and suddenly Roger is a hero. Surprisingly, soon the governor appoints Roger as the special prosecutor (since, apparently, he is a lawyer). Apparently, some criminal underground is alive and well...and the current prosecutor hasn't been able to turn up any evidence.

Considering that Roger only became famous by accident (and he was more than willing to admit this), expectations for him are low. However, Roger is earnest and not nearly as inept as everyone expects. So what DOES he do? Well, when the underground seems unstoppable, he does what any government official would do....he breaks the law in order to uphold it!

Overall, this is a very interesting film....not brilliant but certainly better than the average cheap B-movie...which it is.

okay cops vs. gangsters

[ksf-2 · 6/10 · 30 July 2023]

This was released two days before pearl harbor, so it was doomed from the start. And badly in need of a restoration,which it isn't going to get. The picture and sound quality are just awful, probably the result of being copied over and over. Ann, a newspaper reporter (rice) gets caught up in a story about the mob, who has been interfering with jury witnesses. And she happens to be dating roger, the assistant district attorney (baxter). When roger is appointed to head up a special committee, but there's more to that appointment than meets the eye. Flo rice sounds and acts just like lucille ball, at least to me. So ann decides to get to the bottom of things. They jam a lot into this sixty five minutes from supreme pictures. Lots of talking. Pretty low budget. The usual cops versus gangster story. Kind of a manufactured argument between ann and roger, but I guess we have to buy into the story. It's okay, if a bit over the top. Directed by lew collins. Died pretty young at 55. Constance worth also died young at 50.

Mixture of political drama and smart newspaper comedy grabs you and grips your attention.

[mark.waltz · 6/10 · 30 November 2018]

This intelligently written Monogram programmer is smarter than the average B and up there with the best of the A's with similar themes. Government corruption and organized crime investigating turns a top notch journalist (Alan Baxter) into a media star, and puts him on the local stages when he is asked to head up special prosecution for those breaking the law. He has an I'm using foil in employer Florence Rice who not only feeds him information but makes cryptic phone calls to him in disguise to send him out in the field to retrieve important information. Constance Worth is an excellent femme fatale whose involvement in both political corruption and organized crime rings has many public figures scared that they may be exposed for their part in what is being investigated. The always lovable Mary Gordon steals every scene that she is in as Baxter and Rice's landlady. I could see this having been made as a series of comedies with social issues dealt with in a different way as Baxter and Rice share a very good chemistry and the script of this film is quite above-average than the normal Monogram programmer.

Fast Moving Florence Rice Movie

[Panamint · 6/10 · 11 May 2017]

A lively cast provides a lot of spark for this Monogram crime/lawyer/courtroom b-movie. Florence Rice really keeps things moving and the capable Alan Baxter works well with her, mainly due to Baxter's confident style and well-trained acting credentials that make him, like the well-established star Rice, a fortunate addition to the acting lineup for Monogram Studios. Monogram constantly strove to provide a quality product beyond its modest means, and sometimes succeeded as it does with "Borrowed Hero".

Movie perennial John Hamilton has a major role in this film as a shady "civic leader" who has his busy fingers in most of City Hall's activities both above-board and behind the scenes. Hamilton was always dynamic and lively in any role, whether in his countless movies or in the original Superman TV series. He always adds spark to a movie with his brisk dramatic style of acting. Ultra dignified Stanley Andrews and kindly Mary Gordon are also excellent in supporting roles.

"Borrowed Hero" has some good criminal and lawyer action and although hurriedly filmed at times including attempts at charming humor that don't always work, overall this is a watchable and lively little obscure movie.

Great Florence Rice movie!

[chank46 · 8/10 · 28 May 2006]

Borrowed Hero from 1941 is a fast paced story of a man who is thrust into the spotlight when he apprehends a wanted fugitive. Perfect vehicle for the always lovely and talented Florence Rice. This time Florence is not surrounded by stellar performers, however they are adequate. Florence plays a newspaper reporter in love with the Borrowed hero and is instrumental in bringing the criminals to justice. Never stiff or awkward, Florence brings the same gentle warmth to her character that she does in all of her movies. Tender, cynical, outraged, the loyal girlfriend, she brings it all home. The print I saw is in need of a film restoration, its grainy, very dark in spots, this is a movie that needs to be seen in a good print. These movies are what makes the 30's and 40's come alive.

I never expected it to be any good but..

[Enrique-Sanchez-56 · 8/10 · 20 October 2015]

It was very enjoyable. Sure it was a B-picture from they heyday of the best of them but for what it's worth, I venture to say it was a few notches above than a whole bunch of them.

Roger Andrews and Florence Rice had chemistry and certainly the cast of characters including one bad guy I never saw play one, were a pleasure to watch.

The story is simple and simply drawn - a down and out lawyer gets lucky and is thrust into the limelight. Those around him have mixed feelings. And he grows in his new-found role.

Andrews was certainly low-key but assuredly not mousy at all. His inner strength carries him through until the very satisfying end. Sure it was predictable, but the ride was fun and intriguing.

I recommend it to any and all B-movie cultists out there.

Competent if Uninspired Programmer

[dougdoepke · 24 March 2019]

Routine Monogram programmer. There's really nothing much to distinguish the 55-minutes. The plot's been around the block a few times-- a city is corrupted by a strategically placed gang whose leader is least suspected. Because of public pressure, a rather inept attorney Andrews (Baxter) is maneuvered by the gang's leader into investigating the corruption, confident he'll bungle things. However, Andrews wants to impress his wavering girlfriend Ann (Rice), so he works to improve his skills in his new job. Thus, surprises ensue.

It's all done in competent, if forgettable, fashion. The story simply unfolds, minus atmosphere or suspenseful touches. Still, I was impressed by actress Rice who delivers a spirited turn, while a sleekly handsome Baxter gets a rare leading role. Their contrasting personas make for believable conflict. So if you've got a spare hour, you'll be entertained if not impressed.