When retired racket boss John Sarto tries to reclaim his place and former friends try to kill him, he finds solace in a monastery and reinvents himself as a pious monk.
A ruthless mob boss, Johnny 'Viper' Powell, escapes prison and seeks refuge in a monastery, posing as a priest. While there, he tries to maintain his tough-guy persona and run his criminal empire from the shadows, but finds himself unexpectedly influenced by the monks' peaceful ways and the kindness of Sister Mary. His gangster associates, however, are less than impressed with his newfound piety.
Brother Orchid was a popular film upon its release, appreciated for its novel premise and the performance of Edward G. Robinson. Critics noted the effective blend of gangster film tropes with comedic and even spiritual elements, finding it an entertaining diversion. Audience reception was generally positive, enjoying the fish-out-of-water scenario and Robinson's charismatic portrayal.
Google audience: Audience reviews often highlight the humor derived from the mob boss adapting to monastic life and Robinson's compelling performance.
Edward G. Robinson, known for his tough-guy roles, reportedly found the gangster-turned-monk character a welcome change of pace and enjoyed the comedic aspects of the role.
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