The Carnation Kid (1929)
Directed by E. Mason Hopper / Leslie Pearce
Genres - Comedy, Crime |
Sub-Genres - Comedy of Errors |
Run Time - 76 min. |
Countries - United States |
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Synopsis by Sandra Brennan
It's a case of mistaken identity in this convoluted comedy that centers around a country bumpkin mistaken for a Chicago hitman. The story begins in Chatham, Illinois as an honest district attorney is about to be elected. This worries the town mob-boss because the new D.A. is sworn to get all the bad apples out of town. To rectify the situation, the kingpin requests the services of the Carnation Kid, Chicago's preeminent hitman. His nickname stems from the white carnation always pinned to his lapel. The hired gun is enroute to Chatham, by train, when he is recognized. When the Kid runs into a passenger who vaguely resembles him, he makes them switch clothes and escapes. The bumpkin, a typewriter salesman, has no idea that he is going to be mistaken for a crook by everyone he meets. He does make it to Chatham though. The D.A. wins the election and is true to his word. The kingpin is cast out of town. The salesman falls for the daughter of the District Attorney.
Characteristics
Themes
Keywords
danger, campaign, chase, city, criminal, daughter, District-Attorney, dream, escape, hitman, killing, kingpin, lawyer, mistaken-identity, obsession, painting, police, psychic, sanity, sensitivity, stillborn, terror, train [locomotive]
