Half a Sinner (1940)
Directed by Al Christie and based on a short story by Dalton Trumbo (Lady Takes a Chance), Half a Sinner is a breezy, 59-minute comedy crime caper that turns a quiet schoolteacher’s day into a chaotic adventure involving gangsters, mistaken identities, and a corpse in the back seat.
Plot Summary
Anne Gladden (Heather Angel) is a 25-year-old schoolteacher who’s tired of playing it safe. Inspired by an older colleague’s advice to live a little, she buys a stylish dress, lets her pet canary fly free, and heads into town for a day of spontaneous fun.
But when she knocks out a persistent flirt and drives off in his car, she unknowingly sets off a chain of events: the car is stolen, there’s a dead body in the back seat, and the gangsters who committed the murder are desperate to recover it. Along the way, Anne picks up a charming stranger, Larry Cameron, whose car has broken down—and who quickly realizes she’s in way over her head.
As the police, gangsters, and a snitch named Snuffy close in, Anne and Larry dodge danger, switch license plates, tie up gas station attendants, and break into a house—all while romance begins to bloom. It’s a whirlwind of mistaken identities, slapstick escapes, and unexpected heroism.
Cast Highlights
- Heather Angel as Anne Gladden
- John “Dusty” King as Larry Cameron
- Constance Collier, Robert Elliott, William Frawley, and Emma Dunn in supporting roles
- Fun trivia: Heather Angel was actually 31 years old, though her character claims to be 25. Emma Dunn, who plays her grandmother, was only 35 years older, making her more age-appropriate as a mother than a granny.
Behind-the-Scenes Tidbits
- Working titles included Everything Happens to Ann and The Lady Takes a Chance
- The film was distributed by Universal Pictures and produced by Arcadia Pictures
- It’s a rare example of a female-led crime comedy from the era, with Anne driving the plot—literally and figuratively
- The story’s blend of romantic comedy and gangster noir makes it a unique hybrid for 1940s cinema
