mark.waltz The death of the head of a protection racket hands the reigns over to the son (Richard Cromwell) he's never met. Cromwell has no idea of what he's getting into and in order not to be bored as the supposed head of pop's business, begins to sell insurance to the victims of the racket he has unknowingly inherited which ultimately threatens to bankrupt it. This, of course, makes him an invisible enemy of the criminal mastermind who turns out to be himself! The titled moniker is all he knows this racketeer to be known as, and even if they share the same last name, he still don't get it. This ultimately brings out the real criminal element determined to bring him down and pin all the crimes on him.A silly comedy crime caper, this exploits the small town kid as a dumbbell too honest yet too dense to see what's going on. Mary Carlisle is the pretty heroine he romances, unaware that "she" is "his" biggest victim in the protection racket. Veteran actor Robert Armstrong plays an underling of the late racketeer who becomes "protector" to the naive kid while Chick Chandler offers total silliness as Cromwell's sidekick. Take it as it is or avoid it. There's no believability to the film's non- sensical plot line and the one-dimensional gangsters involved in the racket have cutesy names obviously influenced by Damon Runyeon. But this ain't no "Big Street", "Lemon Drop Kid" or "Guys and Dolls".

MartinHafer My score of 7 is very good, but relative to other B-films I'd give this one a 9--it's that good despite the tiny budget. For a lesser production made by a so-called "Poverty Row" studio (PRC--one of the cheaper and crappier studios), it's amazingly good. Normally, you'd expect ordinary or lousy writing--not a clever film like this one.The film begins with a meeting of various mobsters. Robert Armstrong (of "King Kong" fame) is leading the discussion and he's lamenting the death of their leader years before and how he wishes the mobs would all work together like the "good old days" under Morgan's leadership. Armstrong suggests that perhaps Morgan's son MIGHT be the guy to take this leadership role. The problem that the men in the meeting are not aware of is that Morgan's son (Richard Cromwell) has no idea who his father was and is a very nice and somewhat wimpy young man. However, throughout the film, there are many opportunities where various mobsters see the guy and assume he's talking about killings and extortion--when the guy is really talking about mundane things that aren't the least bit violent. What makes it even funnier is that after he's brought to the big city to run the mob, he thinks this is a legitmiate insurance company--and he begins selling policies right and left. He's so successful, though, not because of his salesmanship but because everyone else thinks he's selling "protection". Eventually, however, "Baby Face" learns the truth--and how can he possibly extricate himself from this terrible situation?! This film made me laugh many times. The acting, writing and entire production are very crisp and clever--making it a hidden gem that is a standout among the Bs.

wes-connors After "Central City" loses its mob boss to murder, partner-in-crime Robert Armstrong (as "Doc" Rogers) decides to take drastic measures To preserve criminal continuity, he recruits the dead mobster's milquetoast son, Richard Cromwell (as Edward "Baby Face" Morgan), to run the family business. The naive Mr. Cromwell is taken to the city, and installed as President of his father's "Acme Protection Agency", a front for gangsters. While Cromwell sells innocently sells insurance, his "employees" run an extortion racket. Cromwell falls for pretty client Mary Carlisle (as Virginia Clark); and, the duo find themselves in great danger… "Baby Face Morgan" catches star Cromwell and Ms. Carlisle nearing the end of their once "promising" film careers. It's a quick, light, and inoffensive little crime drama.**** Baby Face Morgan (9/15/42) Arthur Dreifuss ~ Richard Cromwell, Mary Carlisle, Robert Armstrong

kidboots This was the next to last film of cute Mary Carlisle. She was disappointed that she was never able to break out of the "cute" mould and show what she could do as an actress.Edward Morgan (Richard Cromwell) works in a drug store. His father, who he never knew, was a crime boss but headed an insurance company as a front for his shady dealings. Two henchmen call on Edward, to tell him of his father's death and to see if he wants to take over the "business". When a phone conversation is misinterpreted (in gangland talk - pineapples mean bombs not fruit!!!) Edward is given the nickname "Baby Face". "Doc" Morgan (Robert Armstrong) the real brains behind the group, instantly realises that Edward is just a country bumpkin but uses the nickname to instill fear into the frightened people that have to pay for protection.All except Virginia (Mary Carlisle, looking like a very young Lana Turner) - she declares war on the protection gangsters. Morgan, who doesn't know he is the notorious "Baby Face" begins selling insurance for real and when trucks and shops are blown up pays the proprietors for real. Suddenly "Baby Face" isn't so frightening anymore!!!I found it pretty funny, especially as Edward didn't realise that "Baby Face" was himself. Richard Cromwell looked such an innocent, you could really believe his disbelief!!!!!The film was a who's who of former stars. Aside from Mary Carlisle, who was Bing Crosby's leading lady in a few of his early films, there was Robert Armstrong, who had starred in "King Kong" and "Son of Kong". Ralf Harolde, who played a variety of interesting parts in some early 30s films, including "Night Nurse" (1931) with Barbara Stanwyck, plays the disgruntled Joe Torelli. Warren Hymer spent the 30s playing dumb, comic gangsters and this film was no exception - he played Wise Willie. Chick Chandler, who introduced "How Do I Know it's Sunday" in "Harold Teen" (1934) played Edward's cousin Ollie.I can recommend this film.