Escape If You Can (1951)
"St. Benny the Dip" (original title)

A gang of con artists disguise themselves as clerics in order to pull off a job, but soon find that even pretending to be religious people is having an effect on them.

Director:

Edgar G. Ulmer

Writers:

George Auerbach (story), John Roeburt

Stars:

Dick Haymes, Nina Foch, Roland Young

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Dick Haymes	...	Benny
Nina Foch	...	Linda Kovacs
Roland Young	...	Matthew
Lionel Stander	...	Monk Williams
Freddie Bartholomew	...	Reverend Wilbur
Oskar Karlweis	...	Mr. Kovacs
William A. Lee	...	Police Sergeant Monahan
Dick Gordon	...	Reverend Miles (as Richard Gordon)
Jean Casto	...	Mrs. Mary Williams
Eddie Wells	...	Patrolman McAvoy
James Bender	...	House Detective

Storyline

A gang of con artists disguise themselves as clerics in order to pull off a job, but soon find that even pretending to be religious people is having an effect on them.

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Plot Keywords:

priest | swindle | minister | saint dismas | character name in title

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 August 1951 (USA)

Also Known As:

Escape If You Can

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Benny Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Linda talks about being an operatic star, Benny finishes pouring her drink and putting the bottle down twice in two different shots.

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Soundtracks

"I Believe"
Words and Music by Robert W. Stringer

User Reviews

His Wonders to Perform

In New York City, dapper Dick Haymes (as Benny), gruff Lionel Stander (as Monk), and crafty Roland Young (as Matthew) are a trio of con men who hide from the police by assuming the identity of three reverends attending to a needy mission. While hiding out, the three con men of the cloth begin to question their criminal ways. Our leading man Mr. Haymes cozies up to attractive blonde illustrator Nina Foch (as Linda Kovacs) while Mr. Stander mulls over the family he left...

Freddie Bartholomew (as Rev. Wilbur) makes his last feature appearance, in a supporting role. Although still a young man, and acting able to follow a successful character actor career path, Mr. Bartholomew retired from the screen grind. Haymes' sole song "I Believe" is not the Frankie Laine song that came out a couple years later. The obvious plot potential in making Mr. Roland a fallen preacher is not realized. This would have made his part, and the story, stronger.

***** St. Benny the Dip (8/24/51) Edgar G. Ulmer ~ Dick Haymes, Lionel Stander, Nina Foch, Freddie Bartholomew