"Manpower" isn't exactly the kind of film that requires much brain power. It is a case of what you see is what you get. That isn't to say that the film isn't good or entertaining, it is. It is a more undemanding kind of film. It is unfortunate that the two leads didn't work together again at "Warner Bros." Much has been made of the slight tension on the set between Edward G. Robinson and George Raft. It is true that both people had a different style to the way they worked and that was the source of the tension. It is not true that they both engaged in a fist fight. What happened, was that Robinson and Raft exchanged a few words and Raft slightly elbowed his co-star in the ribs. Supporting players Alan Hale and Ward Bond quickly kept them apart and Robinson left the set for a while. The story is about two engineers whose friendship is compromised by the arrival of a woman (Marlene Dietrich). That is all the there is but it's enough. Alan Hale comes out with his usual silly one-liners, as does Frank McHugh. They provide some comic relief which doesn't intrude upon the film. George Raft enjoys a couple of punch ups and they are good enough.

"Manpower" is a 1941 Warner Brothers film directed by Raoul Walsh. Walsh said that Jack Warner used to call him to his office and say, "You have to direct this film for me." Walsh would ask, "Who's in it?" "Oh, I don't know," Warner would moan. One wonders if "Manpower" was one of those films, though it would be pretty hard to forget that you had a film with Marlene Dietrich scheduled.The story is that of a typical love triangle. Hank (Robinson) and Johnny (Raft) are linemen; Hank falls hard for Dietrich, who works at a clip joint. He proposes and though she tells him up front that she doesn't love him, she accepts. Then she finds herself in love with Johnny.Dietrich is stunningly beautiful though I was distracted by a wig that seemed to overpower her face. And when was the last time you heard her described, as Raft does, as "just a dame?" Hardly. She is very good as Fay, who, while she gives it a go with Hank, wants her chance at real happiness. Robinson, who could play pathetic like nobody's business, gives us a pretty pathetic Hank here - injured so that instead of working on the power lines, he's now a manager, unlucky in love and dumpy looking. For a guy who could play mean as dirt, he portrayed these blustery, insecure men very well. Raft is a very dapper Johnny, a nice contrast to Robinson.With the exception of an exciting ending, there really isn't anything exceptional about "Manpower" except the cast and the fact that it rains a lot. Definitely worth seeing for the unique casting.

This is not one of Warner Brothers' finest films, as the writing is pretty silly at times and terribly predictable. For example, when the character "Pop" appeared, I said to my daughter that that old guy would have to die in the film--and about 20 minutes later, sure enough, he had assumed room temperature! In fact, throughout the film, the action was pretty ordinary and often telegraphed. Despite starring Edward G. Robinson, Marlene Dietrich and George Raft, the film had a definite "B-movie" feel to it due to the shallow plot and rather one-dimensional characters. This one-dimensionality was especially true with Robinson, as he was amazingly pugnacious and impossible to believe throughout.Now despite all this and the overall ordinary nature of the film, it still is rather entertaining and worth a look if there is nothing better on television. Not a great film but a decent time-passer.By the way, a few years earlier, Warner Brothers made a somewhat similar film called SLIM. While MANPOWER is not exactly a re-make, they both have a lot of similarities and involve death and danger on the power lines.

MINOR SPOILERSWarner Brothers celebrated the dedication and bravery of power line repair crews. In the U.S. of 1942 with prosperity emerging from the Depression, tough, brawling but brave civilian workers were a cinematic counterpart to the expanding roster of military action films.In "Manpower" a naive and essentially softhearted Edward G. Robinson is a line repairman promoted to gang foreman. His best friend on the crew is George Raft. Robinson falls head-over-heels in love with the getting-older-but still-sensuous Marlene Dietrich, soon to begin her own conquest of American forces in Europe. Raft, at first dismissive of clip joint Dietrich's marriage to Robinson, falls in love with her. No surprise here.With a good supporting cast including pre-"Wagon Train" Ward Bond and pre-"Our Miss Brooks" Eve Arden, the film has both humor and action. Can you imagine a film today highlighting, in a serious vein, a crew of utility workers?The best scene: Robinson's astonishment when he realizes he's been taken for a sucker at Dietrich's clip joint. How does he know? The bill is for $4.12!!!The story is predictable but it's one more movie showcasing some remarkable talent. And there is a good shot of Dietrich's legs.