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5.7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. One Night at Susie's remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
So, One Night at Susie's. Right off the bat, if you're into those old crime dramas, the kind with a little grit but still plenty of drama, you might get a kick out of this one. It's definitely not for folks who need things to move at a breakneck modern pace, or for anyone expecting a clear-cut hero. But if you appreciate a strange, cozy little world built around some tough characters, give it a shot. Otherwise, you might find it a bit of a slow burn, honestly. 😴
The whole setup is pretty wild. Susie, played by Billie Dove, runs this boarding house. It's not your grandma's quiet place, though. It's full of mobsters and racketeers. And Susie, bless her heart, acts like their actual mother. She fusses over them, you know, makes sure they're fed. It’s a very particular kind of family dynamic, really. Like a dark, criminal version of a sitcom, almost.
Then her foster son, this kid named Johnny, gets tangled up. He takes the fall for a murder his girlfriend, Virginia, actually did. _That's_ a pretty big ask, even for a foster son. He goes to jail, and when he gets out, things get complicated. The mobster buddies, they all rally around Susie. They want to make sure Virginia's reputation doesn't get ruined. It’s like, their code of honor, but for something really… *off*.
Billie Dove as Susie? She’s got this weary but strong presence. You can tell she’s seen it all, living with these guys. There’s a scene where she’s just listening to one of the gangsters explain a plan, and her face says everything. No big dramatic reaction, just a quiet understanding. It’s effective. You really believe she's the rock of this strange little crew.
The mobsters themselves are a mixed bag. Some feel a bit like stock characters, but then one guy, he has this habit of always wiping his mouth with a napkin even when he hasn’t been eating. It's a small detail, but it makes him stick in your mind. You see them doing these tough-guy things, but then they’re all worried about Susie, or about Johnny’s feelings. It’s kinda endearing in a weird way, these big tough guys being so protective.
The pacing, well, it’s a bit of a ramble sometimes. Like the film takes its time to get to the point. There are these long stretches where people are just talking, or walking, and you wonder if they're ever gonna get to the actual plan to "save" Virginia. Then suddenly, something happens, and it picks up. The ending, without giving too much away, feels a little bit... *too neat* for the messy situation they were in. It’s almost like the movie got tired and wanted to wrap it up quickly.
And Douglas Fairbanks Jr.? He's in there! He pops up as one of the characters. His presence is kinda brief, but he adds a certain youthful energy to the mix. It's a small part, but he makes it count. Makes you want to go watch him in something like Bright Lights, to see him really shine.
The whole moral angle of the film is interesting. They’re all trying to protect this woman who actually committed murder. And they see it as the right thing to do, in their twisted way. It’s a glimpse into a very different era of storytelling, where consequences for some things were handled... *unconventionally*. The dialogue often just hints at the nastier stuff, rather than showing it, which leaves a lot to your imagination.
There's a moment when Susie is making coffee, and the clatter of the cups just feels so real, so *domestic*, in this otherwise tense environment. It's those little touches that make the world of the boarding house feel lived-in. You almost forget these are all criminals for a second.
This isn't a film that’s going to shock you with twists or high-octane action. It’s more about the characters, and the odd family they’ve built. It’s a curious watch, a little rough around the edges, but it has a certain charm if you let it settle. It feels like a story you'd hear whispered, not something shouted from the rooftops. A quiet, peculiar little film. 🕰️
IMDb —
1917
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