Sally and Saint Anne

In the 1940 Irish-American romantic drama film Sally and Saint Anne, a young woman named Sally, played by actress Anne Baxter, finds herself at the center of a family crisis. Her family is being threatened by the ruthless and cunning alderman, Thomas Flynn, who seeks to buy out their home and turn it into a parking lot. Determined to save her family's legacy, Sally turns to the saint, Saint Anne, for guidance and protection. Sally's journey begins as she prays to Saint Anne, pleading with the saint to intervene on her family's behalf. She then starts to notice that strange things are happening around her. Saint Anne seems to be sending her messages, hinting at the solution to her problem. The family's struggles are also exacerbated by a love triangle involving Sally, her brother Michael, and her childhood sweetheart Jack. The tensions caused by their romantic entanglements add to the drama and create obstacles for Sally as she navigates her situation. As the family's financial situation spirals out of control, Sally becomes increasingly desperate. She starts to lose hope and feels overwhelmed by the weight of her responsibilities. However, she refuses to give up on her family and continues to turn to Saint Anne for guidance. The saint's messages seem to be leading her toward a mysterious and enigmatic figure known only as the 'Irish Saint,' who promises to help her family in exchange for a personal favor. Meanwhile, Thomas Flynn continues to close in on the family, using underhanded tactics to intimidate them into selling their home. Sally's mother, a devout Catholic, finds solace in her faith but struggles to reconcile her love for Saint Anne with the practical realities of their situation. Her husband, however, is more pragmatic and skeptical of the saint's power, adding to the tension within the family. As the stakes grow higher, Sally becomes convinced that she has found the key to saving her family. With the help of the enigmatic Irish Saint, she devises a plan to outsmart Thomas Flynn and protect their home. The family is torn apart by disagreement, with some members supporting Sally's plan while others are skeptical. As tensions reach a boiling point, Sally's determination and faith are put to the test. The film's climactic conclusion sees the family's fortunes transformed in an unexpected way. Thomas Flynn makes a final, desperate bid to acquire the family's home, but Sally's plan pays off, and they manage to save their property. In the aftermath, Sally reflects on the lessons she has learned about the power of faith, family, and community. The film concludes on a note of hope, suggesting that with perseverance and determination, even the most seemingly insurmountable challenges can be overcome. Through Sally and Saint Anne, director and writer Michael Curtiz offers a nuanced exploration of Irish-American identity, exploring themes of faith, community, and the immigrant experience. The film's use of location and setting, which evokes the atmospheric streets and buildings of 1940s New York City, adds to its sense of authenticity and cultural specificity. With its strong performances and compelling storyline, Sally and Saint Anne remains an absorbing and engaging drama that continues to captivate audiences to this day.