Mister 880 (1950)

A counterfeiter acting in New York City eludes the American Secret Service for years, so they send for an outsider to help catch him. The criminal, who makes only one-dollar bills, and only enough of them to provide him with a bare living, is an elderly man who is loved by all.

This is an entertaining film, which gets one thinking afterwards. The film shows how the law may be unfair if applied too severely, and how crime is not always evil; however, it never explicitly makes the complementary point, that is, how great evil comes from the powers that be. Thus, it is very ironic that the United Nations features in it, and the unification of Europe is discussed in one sequence. In fact, it must have been the hand of providence, even though it took half a century or so for the implications to become fully clear. For, what harm does a petty counterfeiter pose to the U.S.A. next to what Immigration and the Euro have done (and continue to do) to the economy of Europe? At any rate, this is a well-made film, which, as I said, never fails to engage one's attention.

Rating: 60