When this was released, Variety said it was sure to be a big hit, unless the "peasants" in the sticks were confused by its combination of the genres of comedy and gangster melodrama. Well, even peasants today would most likely be bored by this movie's slow pace and simple-minded script (not one of Joseph Manckiewicz's best). The tale of the goofy but virtuous rube who defeats not only city slickers but killers (Jack Oakie sternly informs the gang leader that his kidnaping of Jean Arthur is illegal and could get him in trouble) has been told before, since, and better. One example was the divine Once in a Lifetime, in which an even dumber Oakie not only won the day but ended up running a movie studio. But, while that work was a creation of hilarious insanity, The Gang Buster is a far more down to earth and tepid business. Children who are not familiar with movie cliches or with Jean Arthur's wonderful record-played-at-the-wrong-speed voice, and who love seeing grown-ups act stupid should like this, but adults will probably want to leave them to it.
Review of The Gang Buster
