The Hoodlum Saint

The Hoodlum Saint

Year: 1946

Runtime: 91 mins

Language: English

Director: Norman Taurog

DramaMusic

A veteran of World War I returns home hoping to resume his journalism career, but jobs are scarce. He crashes a high‑society wedding, meets the beautiful Kay, and leverages her connections to land a newspaper job. Quickly rising among the city’s elite, he embraces a ruthless “make money at all costs” mindset, only to have his ambitions shattered by the 1929 stock‑market crash and the onset of the Great Depression.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Hoodlum Saint (1946)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Hoodlum Saint (1946). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1919–1930s

The story begins in 1919, in the immediate postwar era. It follows the 1920s as Terry climbs the corporate ladder and navigates high-society events, then culminates in the 1929 Wall Street crash that shatters fortunes. The arc spans the period's social dynamics and changing moral codes as the protagonist's fortunes wax and wane.

Location

Baltimore, New York

Baltimore is the initial setting where Terry returns to the old newspaper world amid a changing ownership and moral climate. The city is portrayed as a busy Mid-Atlantic hub with a strong press presence and social contrasts, including a pivotal wedding scene that drives the plot. The narrative then moves to New York as Terry joins the corporate world, reflecting the era's expanding business reach.

🏙️ Baltimore 🗽 New York

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:48

Main Characters – The Hoodlum Saint (1946)

Meet the key characters of The Hoodlum Saint (1946), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Major Terry O'Neill (William Powell)

Disillusioned ex-editor who abandons his ideals to pursue wealth, using charm and strategy to ascend. He orchestrates risky moves, only to confront the consequences as love, friendship, and faith tug at him. His arc traces a descent into cynicism and a fragile search for redemption.

🎭 Protagonist 💰 Ambitious 🕊️ Complex

Kay Lorrison (Esther Williams)

A newspaper-associated woman who becomes Terry's love interest. She challenges his cynical plans and offers a path back to integrity, though she remains entangled in the shifting priorities of a man chasing wealth. Her persistence anchors the human stakes of the story.

💖 Romantic lead 🗞️ Journalist 🕯️ Moral compass

Dusty Millard (Angela Lansbury)

Nightclub singer who becomes Terry's rebound and later a rival in love. She embodies the lure of fame and wealth, testing Terry's capacity for generosity and integrity. Her role complicates Terry's choices and highlights the cost of passion and ambition.

🎤 Entertainer 💫 Temptation 💎 Wealth

Snarp (James Gleason)

One of Terry's trusted pals who becomes entangled in bookmaking. He evolves into a reformist voice who nudges Terry toward faith and responsibility, acting as a bridge between crime and redemption.

🃏 Ally 🕊️ Reform 🧭 Moral compass

Fishface (Rags Ragland)

A friend drawn into the underworld and gambling circle, facing consequences for his actions. He represents the social circle that pulls Terry toward risky ventures.

🎭 Support character 🎲 Gambler 🥂 Social circle

Three Finger (Frank McHugh)

A rough-edged ally whose actions pull Terry into bookmaking and high-risk schemes. His presence underscores the moral hazards of pursuing quick fortune.

🤏 Co-conspirator 🕵️‍♂️ Street-smart 🧭 Moral foil

Allan 'Knucklehead' Smith - Times Editor (uncredited) (Will Wright)

Former editor whose job loss due to ownership changes becomes a catalyst for Terry's disillusionment and pivot toward wealth.

📰 Editor 💬 Influence 🕊️ Turning point

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:48

Major Themes – The Hoodlum Saint (1946)

Explore the central themes of The Hoodlum Saint (1946), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕊️ Redemption

The film threads a path from ambition to remorse, showing how power and wealth tempt Terry away from his early ideals. The supporting characters embody contrasting moral codes, from deceit to charity. The narrative culminates in a chance for forgiveness and renewal as faith and friendship challenge a hardened cynic.

💼 Ambition

Terry abandons principled journalism to chase fortune, leveraging influence for personal gain. The story tracks his rise within Malbery's company and the costs of rapid success, including moral compromises and public perception. The 1929 crash exposes the fragility of wealth built on risky schemes and flawed ideals.

💔 Love and Loss

Terry's romances drive his choices: a romance with Kay that becomes entangled with cynicism, and a rebound with Dusty that tests loyalties. The wedding, widowhood, and reconciliations reveal how love can propel both resilience and destruction. The intertwined relationships probe whether affection can redeem a flawed path or reinforce its downfall.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:48

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The Hoodlum Saint Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Hoodlum Saint, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Hoodlum Saint Summary

The Hoodlum Saint Timeline

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The Hoodlum Saint Timeline

More About The Hoodlum Saint

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