Alias the Deacon

Alias the Deacon is a 1940 American comedy film directed by Christy Cabanne and written by Nat Perrin and Charles Grayson. It is based on the 1925 play The Deacon by John B. Hymer and LeRoy Clemens. The film stars Bob Burns, Mischa Auer, Peggy Moran, Dennis O'Keefe, Edward Brophy, Thurston Hall, Spencer Charters, Jack Carson and Guinn "Big Boy" Williams. The film was released on May 17, 1940, by Universal Pictures.

A hillbilly deacon, who is actually a cardsharp in disguise, becomes involved in a small-town fight game. When he is tossed out of town for his dexterity with a deck of cards, cardsharp Deke Caswell meets Phyllis, who is also on her way out of town. The two hitch a ride with truck driver Johnny Sloan, and when they arrive at the town of Shelton, their next stop, Deke decides to pose as a deacon in order to avoid trouble with the law. Deke soon learns that the town is run by corrupt financier Jim Cunningham who, among other dastardly schemes, is plotting to steal Elsie Clark's hotel. To achieve this, he has hired Mrs. Gregory and her daughter Mildred to cheat Elsie at bridge, thus forcing her to borrow money. Cunningham is also promoting a boxing match against Bull Gumbatz, and when Bull's opponent is arrested, Johnny volunteers to fight in his place so that he can win enough money to buy the local garage and marry Phyllis. Throughout Cunningham's chicaneries, Deke continues his masquerade as a deacon until Cunningham cheats Johnny out of his winnings and accuses him of stealing his wallet. When Elsie puts her hotel up in lieu of Johnny's bail, Cunningham demands that she pay him back immediately. Cunningham's latest swindle spurs Deke into action, and he combines both of his professions to clean out Cunningham and his cronies in a card game, thus cleaning up the town.

Cast:

Bob Burns as Deke Caswell

Mischa Auer as Andre

Peggy Moran as Phyllis

Dennis O'Keefe as Johnny Sloan

Edward Brophy as Stuffy

Thurston Hall as Jim Cunningham

Spencer Charters as Sheriff Yates

Jack Carson as Sullivan

Guinn "Big Boy" Williams as Bull Gumbatz

Virginia Brissac as Elsie Clark

Benny Bartlett as Willie Clark

Mira McKinney as Mrs. Gregory

Janet Shaw as Mildred Gregory