'Never Steal Anything Small' on View

WORKING on the somewhat startling premise that union politics simultaneously can be rough, funny, chivalrous, profitable, romantic and tuneful, scenarist-director Charles Lederer and a company of energetic players headed by James Cagney have not made anything especially big out of "Never Steal Anything Small." For the comedy with music that was unveiled at the Capitol yesterday is merely an amiable antic that is only partly successful on any of these counts.Perhaps the fault lies in an indecisive script that evolves is a combination of a Damon Runyon lampoon, a serious inspection of the sordid side of New York's waterfront union machinations and a medium-grade musical. The sum, as has been noted, is hardly equal to the parts of this brisk entertainment.There is no doubt that Mr. Cagney and his spirited aides make every effort to make "Never Steal Anything Small" entertaining. The producers, who filmed some of the muscular goings-on right here in Gotham, happen to have been inspired in choosing Mr. Cagney for a role that calls for a somewhat sullied Robin Hood with the attributes of a Yankee Doodle Dandy type of singer and an incipient public enemy.In the screen play written by Mr. Lederer and based on the Maxwell Anderson-Rouben Mamoulian play "Devil's Hornpipe," our hero is pictured (in pleasing Cinema-Scope and color) as a roughhewn and roughly self-taught stevedore who aspires to the presidency of one local in the powerful longshore union. He is obviously carried away by one of the lyrics in the title song (the words appear to be more memorable than the music), which says, "Steal $100, they put you in stir steal a million they call you sir." So, by hook and crook, our ambitious labor leader acquires campaign funds from a local bookie, an extortion rap. A young, idealistic mouthpiece for whose wife he yearns, and the presidency.As we were saying, Mr. Cagney is a hard-fisted knight whose heart really belongs to the rank-and-file. And, first thing you know, he's pining for the presidency of the entire union, not just a local. How does one acquire $500,000 in campaign funds this time? Well, it's easy for a gent who fervently declares, "I like to scheme!" The scheming pays off, in off-beat fashion, of course, and Mr. Cagney exits triumphantly to the hoosegow, a happy president if an unhappy loser in love.As the Machiavellian terror of the docks, Mr. Cagney gives a charming, bouncy and uninhibited performance. If he makes no bones about the fact that he is older than he was twenty years ago, it is done with professional éclat and an absence of scenery-chewing. He gambols through the role with relish and, in addition to the title tune, warbles "Sorry, I Want a Ferrari" with Cara Williams with enough verve to make this comedy item the film's cheeriest asset.Shirley Jones, as the adoring wife of his innocent lawyer, makes a decorative, if not convincing, romantic vis-à-vis for Mr. Cagney. And she does well by two other songs, "I Haven't Got a Thing to Wear" and "It Takes Love to Make a Home." It might be noted, too, that the songs, spoofing and otherwise, are neatly introduced into the nonmusical proceedings.Roger Smith, as the handsome, lovelorn attorney; Miss Williams, as Mr. Cagney's beauteous and willing associate in connivance, and Nehemiah Persoff, Royal Dano, Jack Albertson and Horace MacMahon, as waterfront types, pitch in with a will in his support. It's just a mite confusing that Mr. Cagney and company are required to be serious and romantic now and again. It takes the fun out of stealing.

The CastNEVER STEAL ANYTHING SMALL; screen story and screen play by Charles Lederer; based on the play "Devil's Hornpipe" by Maxwell Anderson and Rouben Mamoulian; directed by Mr. Lederer; produced by Aaron Rosenberg for Universal-International, music by Allie Wrutel; lyrics by Mr. Anderson. At the Capitol, Broadway and Fiftieth Street. Running time: ninety-four minutes.Jake MacIllaney . . . . . James CagneyLinda Cabot . . . . . Shirley JonesDan Cabot . . . . . Roger SmithWinnipeg . . . . . Cara WilliamsPinelli . . . . . Nehemiah PersoffWords Cannon . . . . . Royal DanoLieutenant Tevis . . . . . Anthony CarusoO. K. Merritt . . . . . Horace MacMahonGinger . . . . . Virginia VincentSleep-Out Charlie . . . . . Jack AlbertsonLennie . . . . . Robert J. WilkeHymie . . . . . Herbie FayeEd . . . . . Billy M. GreeneWard . . . . . John DukeOsborne . . . . . Jack OrrisonDoctor . . . . . Roland WintersModel . . . . . Ingrid GoudeFats Ranney . . . . . Sanford SeegarThomas . . . . . Ed (Skipper) McNally