secondtake

23 May 2012

Just short of perfect, and layered up with surprises in the usual gangster plot

Angels with Dirty Faces (1938)Just a couple years before Casablanca, this is another of directorMichael Curtiz's startling, well filmed, intelligent action movies,this one also for Warner Brothers. And Bogart is a key secondary figurehere, somewhat tame compared to the usual intensity of James Cagney,who again plays a gangster to perfection. The odd second layer heresometimes threatens to tilt to moralizing, even with the roughness ofthe church kids, as the priest weighs in on certain scenes. But the twoelements--good and evil, basically--not only contrast, but theyoverlap, and the confusion of who is doing the most good and why ispart of the bigger ethical fiber of the plot.Maybe it's because of these moments where Cagney's gangster role issoftened by interacting with the priest that we see less direct, rawacting, the scary thing that he can pull of so well. But he's stillutterly convincing, and the ending is chilling no matter how you readit. If you, like me, like a film to go beyond a simple do crime and getcaught kind of scenario, this is a great one. The great Sol Polito iscinematographer, and it shows, in every single scene, whether thefascinating street shots (packed with activity) or the shadowing alleyand basement shots (composed for drama and depth). And the music,relatively invisible, by Max Steiner is of course flawless.

wes-connors

22 May 2012

James Cagney Gives it Up for the Dead End Kids

One of the best of its type, "Angels with Dirty Faces" epitomizes the"gangster" and "juvenile delinquent" pictures of the 1930s (and 1940s).These are the films showing how unfortunate circumstances turn youngmen into hardened criminals. It's the "Nature vs. Nurture" argument.And, don't waste any time wondering about this film's stance - thetitle says it all - if you rub that dirty criminal's face hard enough,you'll find a hidden Angel.This is the case with tough guy James Cagney (as Rocky Sullivan), wholanded in reform school for stealing, and was seduced into a life ofcrime. It may be too late for Cagney, but not for the youngergeneration of dirty-faced angels known as "The Dead End Kids", whoworship the charismatic gangster. At least, that's the way scarredpriest Pat O'Brien (as Jerry Connolly) sees things. Father O'Brien, whoescaped Cagney's fate, wants salvation for the little tough guys.Cagney's courageous, shoulder-rolling turn as "Rocky" is entrancing;absolutely, he deserved a "Best Actor" award - which the "on target" inthe 1930s New York Film Critics delivered. Directed by Michael Curtiz,the classic line-up of "Dead End Kids" - Billy Halop as "Soapy", BobbyJordan as "Swing", Leo Gorcey as "Bim", Gabriel Dell as "Pasty", HuntzHall as "Crab", and Bernard Punsly as "Hunky" - are a symphony ofspitting, smoking, and (mostly) smacked upside the head young punks.The memorable Warner Brothers supporting cast includes rheumy-eyedlawyer Humphrey Bogart (as James Frazier), sultry Ann Sheridan (asLaury Ferguson), and perfectly cast Frankie Burke (as a young JamesCagney). "Social Consciousness"- raising films can often trip overthemselves, so don't watch this one in the wrong frame of mind.********* Angels with Dirty Faces (11/24/38) Michael Curtiz ~ JamesCagney, Pat O'Brien, Billy Halop, Humphrey Bogart

20 May 2012

Another great James Cagney movie

This is a superb movie. James Cagney was awesome. Dead end kids are all dead now, I think. Very good old time movie. It actually had a moral to it's story. Today's filmakers and actors should take note.

soranno

20 May 2012

A classic early crime drama

Throughout the 1930's, Warner Brothers delivered many quality crime andgangster dramas that usually featured the likes of the studio'sdistinguished contract star roster. This 1938 release is one of the primeexamples. James Cagney and Pat O'Brien (who were frequently cast in filmstogether and this is their best one together) portray boyhood buddies whoreunite years later after Cagney is released from prison where he had servedfor many years for a petty crime that he committed while he was still a kid.Cagney has not learned his lesson that crime doesn't pay and so he returnsto his old neighborhood to set up his criminal hideout. Meanwhile, his oldfriend, O'Brien has given up being a street hood and has since become arespected priest who naturally doesn't think highly of the life that hisfriend has chosen for himself. To make matters worse, six young boys(portrayed by the Dead End Kids) whom O'Brien is trying to lead down theright paths begin to idolize Cagney. Humphrey Bogart also appears in a prebig box office star part as a lawyer and screen veteran George Bancroft alsocostars as a dishonest crime boss. Michael Curtiz' direction and MaxSteiner's musical score are also highlights. This film is one of the alltime great ones of the 1930's and an excellent showcase for its legendarycast and crew.

Claudio Carvalho

19 May 2012

Disappointing Corny End

In New York, the boys Rocky Sullivan (James Cagney) and Jerry Connelly(Pat O'Brien) are best friends and small time thieves. After a robbery,Rocky is arrested and sent to a reformatory school, where he begins hiscriminal career. Jerry escapes and later becomes a priest. After threeyears in prison, Rocky is released and charges his former partner, thelawyer James Frazier (Humphrey Bogart), his US$ 100,000.00 and hisshare in the society, and is betrayed. Meanwhile, he becomes the idolof the street kids in the neighborhood. Although following oppositepaths in life, Rocky and Jerry are still friends. When Jerry decides tofight against the corruption, Rocky is put against the wall between hisfriendship with the priest, and his society in dirty businesses withhis criminal partners."Angels With Dirty Faces" is a great film-noir, with magnificentperformance of James Cagney, who was nominated to the Oscar to BestActor in a Leading Role for his excellent performance. The story of acharismatic criminal is engaging, but I did not like the finalredemption of his character, and indeed I found the ending verydisappointing and corny. With a more realistic and suitable conclusion,this movie would be an unforgettable classic of the genre. My vote isseven.Title (Brazil): "Anjos de Cara Suja" ("Angels With Dirty Face")

jyoung-11

19 May 2012

Humphrey Bogart and James Cagney

Probably the only credible film with James Cagney and Humphrey Bogarttogether. Although as a whole the film was a bit slow, there are somescenesthat have real guts in terms of how Bogart engages with Cagney as twoopposing gangsters.

Elizabeth

17 May 2012

Magnificent!

I love this movie! James Cagney and Pat O'Brien are great as childhoodruffians Rocky Sullivan and Jerry Connolly, who grow up very differentlybecause Rocky lands in jail. When he gets out, he discovers that Jerry isnow a priest, which could spoil the friendship between the guys. This couldmean trouble, since the two friends have Irish tempers!I also like Humphrey Bogart in the role of Frazier, the slimy lawyer ofRocky. Since Bogie usually played a tough guy with a heart of gold, thiswas a nice change! Also, brilliant directing by Michael Curtiz, who workedwith Bogart in "Casablanca" and "We're No Angels". "Angels with Dirty Faces" is a fantastic movie for anyone, whether you're afan of "tough guy" movies or not. So I give it a 10 out of 10, because it'sa must see!

TimothyFarrell

17 May 2012

Dated but watchable gangster film with another great turn from James Cagney

"Angels with Dirty Faces", despite its popularity and classic status,is far from my favorite James Cagney role. The moralizing gets in theway and dates this significantly more than "The Public Enemy" (whichcame out before the code really started cracking down) and "White Heat"(which came later when the production code became increasingly lax andcrime films more hard boiled). Still, its more than watchable, becauseeven in a watered down film, Cagney could always be counted on for aterrific performance. He creates a truly multi-dimensional character,one who is capable of evoking audience sympathy despite his flaws. He'sa much more compelling individual than Pat O'Brien's priest.The rest of the cast is uneven. O'Brien does a good job with a ratherdull role. Its interesting to see Humphrey Bogart, who went on toplaying stoic tough guys in his later parts, playing such a weasel-likecoward. He isn't very good, but its still intriguing to see where hestarted out. Ann Sheridan isn't very good as the girl with the heart ofgold who wants to help out Cagney, and the Bowery Boys can becomerather annoying (even though not nearly as much as their later starringfeatures). Still, Cagney completely upstages the rest of the cast witha fantastic performance. "Angels with Dirty Faces" is highlyrecommended simply because of him. (7/10)

theowinthrop

15 May 2012

Cagneys First Screen Award Performance

The rise and fall of Rocky Sullivan, tough guy gangster but squarefellow, was the subject of this excellent film by Warner Brothers in1938. It has several things going for it that maintains it's highratings among gangster films and Cagney movies.For one thing, Cagney's brilliant performance as Rocky won him hisfirst major film award - the 1938 New York Film Critics Award for bestactor. It is frequently forgotten that Cagney won this award four yearsbefore his Oscar winner in "Yankee Doodle Dandy", but in actuality theperformance was the high point of the work he did (up to that time) asa gangster (his performances in "White Heat" and "Love Me Or Leave Me"were way in the future). It drives home how much of a struggle it wasfor Cagney to get out of the gangster mode, and why his George M. Cohanwas such a striking change for his fans.Secondly it was the sequel (the first sequel) of the Bowery Boy featurefilms after their introduction in "Dead End". Oddly enough, in thatfilm, Humphrey Bogart was the out and out gangster "Baby Face" Martin,who was the villain in the film. Baby Face enjoyed his following withthe gang of boys in that film. Here, though, Bogart was playing aweaselly lawyer named Jim Frazier, who is cowardly - quite a differenttype from Baby Face, who is angry at the state of his world and howugly it has become. But Baby Face, at least, had guts.The Bowery Boys are again a gang of street kids, who Father JerryConnelly (Pat O'Brien) is trying to keep on the straight and narrow.Here, however, they worship Rocky, the local punk who did rise in theunderworld and made a name for himself. But Rocky is Jerry's oldestfriend, and he is also willing to help the priest with the boys.The story deals with how Bogart and his new boss, Mac Keefer (theunjustly forgotten George Bancroft) have gotten control of over 100,000dollars (1930 style dollars - about twenty million in buying powertoday), that belongs to Cagney. Cagney wants it back, and when Bogartand Bancroft keep putting him off he uses strong arm methods to forcethem into line. Eventually things blow up, and Cagney ends up in a gunbattle that leaves a dead cop. He is tried and found guilty for thismurder, and goes to the death house. This leads to one of the mostfrightening moments in Cagney's film career - when we see his finalmoments when being taken to the electric chair to be strapped in. Iguarantee once seen you will never forget it.There are one or two interesting points of a historical nature aboutCagney's performance as Rocky. First, that massive gun battle that isshown (where he kills the cop and battles the police department from abuilding. It actually happened! In about 1931 there was an incident inManhattan when a young hood, "Two Gun" Crowley, held off police after ahomicide in a battle that lasted nearly an entire afternoon. Crowley(like Rocky) was defeated by tear gas. Like Rocky, he too died in theelectric chair.It has been pointed out that Cagney based some of Rocky's mannerisms ona drug addict character he knew in his old Hell's Gate/Yorkville areawhen he was a kid. Cagney mentions this in his memoir CAGNEY. But thereis a curious second source. In his youth, Jimmy Cagney came from afamily that struggled but managed to have food on the table and clotheson their back. But some of his playmates were not so lucky. One was afellow nicknamed "Bootah" (because of the oversize boots he was forcedto wear) whose real name was Peter Heslin. Cagney always was friendlywith Peter, but their lives drifted apart. On April 5, 1926, Heslin wasengaged in an armed robbery when an off-duty police officer, Charles H.Reilly, tried to stop him and was shot and killed. But Heslin (who wasalso wounded in the encounter) was captured shortly afterward. He wastried and convicted, and finally executed on July 21, 1927. That samenight, a star was born on Broadway where Jimmy Cagney made a name forhimself as a singer and dancer in the show "Broadway". Cagney was awareof the tragedy playing out with his friend at Sing Sing that night. Hementions Bootah's execution in his memoirs. Newspaper accounts ofHeslin's electrocution do not mention anything unusual, but one wondersif (when Cagney was doing the scene) he thought of his unfortunatefriend and added a bit more power to those last moments of the film.

esteban hernandez

15 May 2012

Angels or Evils?

This is one of my favorite classics, with extraordinary acting of JamesCagney, one of the best actors starring crime films, and his friend,Pat O'Brien, who once again played the role of a priest. In fact,O'Brien in his real life studied to become a priest, but later he quitfor becoming an actor. The seed of criminality is here well shown, butnot its causes. Why are these children finally criminals? It was notthe intention of the director Michael Curtiz to go deeply into theproblem, instead he treated it religiously. Men are products of thesociety where they live, obviously, some escape from bad examples whileothers continue to be spoiled for the whole life. Rocky Sullivan(Cagney) was the case, a spoiled child with some principles offriendship only, and hard with his enemies. His best friend (o'Brien)hopefully became a priest and took the life differently, trying to helpand improve the behavior of the children in the community where helives. Why one went in one way different to the other? this is notsuggested in the film. We have only the facts and then you must figureout the reasons of such behaviors. Interesting film, anyway, with goodacting of Humphrey Bogart too, who was a perfect actor for playing theroles of the villains, and always nice Ann Sheridan did it well too.

itsmits

13 May 2012

Much more than run of the mill

The popularity of this film is evidenced obviously by the abundance ofcomments elicited. Considering the passage of time since it was firstintroduced to the public, this is a tribute to its durability throughat least three generations. This octogenarian never ceases to be amazedat the whimsy of fate; the vagaries of chance which can play havoc withone's life or raise it to unbelievable heights. Maybe that is why themost memorable line from the film was from the advertising department.The billboard campaign mounted by Warner Bros. proclaimed to one andall, ' Last one over the fence goes to the electric chair !! 'As it did in "Manhattan Melodrama" some four years before, chums ofboyhood remain friends for life despite the divergent paths decreed byfate. And the fact that the viewers comments are not overwhelmingly ofone persuasion is a good indication that the final production is a workof art. The artist wants the viewer to form his own opinion of thefinal scene. Miss viewing this at your own loss.

kenandraf

13 May 2012

Classic Spiritual Gangster Film

Very good action drama film about i930's New York gangsters and thephilosophical battles that go along with that lifestyle.Good all aroundproduction but it is the great script and incredible performance of actionstar James Cagney that makes this one special.Could have been amasterpieceif it had a better screenplay.Only for 1930's gangster action drama fansandof big fans of the lead actors.....

philfromno

12 May 2012

Not Bad, but flawed

Cagney and Bogart made two gangster films together in 38 and 39. Both arelegendary, but the other one, Raoul Walsh's Roaring Twenties, is the betterof the two.Director Micheal Curitz had a pair of masterpeices in his future, Casablancaand Yankee Doodle Dandy. He manages some great moments here, and the besttwo are situated at the beginning and end, giving this film a reputationthat it really doesn't deserve. Otherwise, it tends to get bogged down,particularly in the basketball scene. In fact, the scenes with the Dead EndKids that rather dominate this picture threaten to drown the wholeenterprise in sentimental melodrama that seems out of place in a grittygangster film. It's worth seeing on cable, to be sure, but it's not going to blow you away. Instead, check out the aforementioned Roaring Twenties or Walsh andCagney's other masterpeice, 1949's White Heat.

GodzillaVSJaws

12 May 2012

go dig a hole and jump in it

well, listening to the other reviews, they look at the acting andtechnical aspect of the film. I will not do that. I will give you anhonest answer as to why this movie pops into my head whenever peopleare talking about the greatest films of all time. But first, i wouldlike to point something out to you. I never would have seen or heard ofthis movie if it was not for TCM. So thanks TCM. But isn't it strangehow, whenever critics talk about classic films, all they ever mentionis Citizen Kane,Gone With the Wind,Rebel without a cause, orCasablanca. In fact, a Cagney film is not even mentioned. I could onlywatch Rebel for five minutes, literally five minutes, and then i had tochange the channel, i did not care to go back to it. All i saw ofCitizen Kane was, well, nothing, my mother said it was like tearing herhair out with her toes, i believe my mother. I don't trust thosecritics, so i didn't bother to see the other two. So why does this filmpop into my head often? Well, heres the answer. films like Lord of theRings and Toy Story both have three films in the trilogy. The endingsof both films are as emotional as anything we've ever seen in a film,or is it? Angels With Dirty Faces is roughly 80 minutes long, and itmanages to build up more emotion by the ending that you will ponder howit made you feel for the rest of your life. The only movie to beatAngels with its emotion would be The Passion Of the Christ. Mel's theMan.

29 April 2012

Angles With Dirty Faces

A film classic. Vintage Cagney. With Pat O'Brien and the East Side Kids(Bowery Boys) supporting and Humphery Bogart as the villian how could it not be great. A surprise ending that really is a surprise is the capper.

Spuzzlightyear

28 April 2012

Cagney vs. The Dead End Kids!

One of the greatest films of Cagney's film career, and the film thatunfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your gag reflexes)introduced us to the Dead End Kids! James Cagney is a career criminal,who, immediately after getting out of the clink, meets up with hisformer partner in crime (Pat O'Brien!), who of course is a priest nowand loathes the life Cagney leads. Cagney is also preoccupied with abunch of no-good kids who of course idolize him. Seeing this, O'Brienthinks Cagney should lead the kids to good. But Cagney is too busygetting even with his old business cronies (Humphrey Bogart!).This film is a lot fun, most especially watching Bogey and Cagney onthe screen together. For those rather uninitiated with the career ofBogart (eg, just seen Casablanca and the Sam Spade movies), this filmmay come as a revelation to you, as he plays a cretinous heel here. AndCagney? Ahhh, what's not to like? He's flawless here, (well, except hiscurious gun usage). As for the Dead End Kids, I liked them here, ratherinteresting that Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall almost are in the backgroundhere, with their leadership of the group not yet realized.

nmathieson

28 April 2012

Something More Than Just a Gangster Movie

This Warner Bros. gangster classic features James Cagney as RockSullivan and Pat O'Brien as Father Jerry. They play two small timehoodlums who are the best of friends. Eventually one day they decide tosteal from a boxcar and are spotted by the police. The child characterof Pat O'Brian gets away while James's child character, Rocky, iscaught and put into reform school. As the years go by Rocky continuesto go down the path of a gangster while his friend takes the other roadand becomes the priest of the church in their neighborhood.Not only is this story extremely original, but the lovable gangsterJames Cagney makes this movie work. When I sat down to watch it Ibelieved it was yet another gangster picture of a man who works his wayto the top and is then losses it all overnight. I was pleasantlysurprised when I found that it was more about bravery. This movie goeswhere most gangster films don't and uncovers the sentimental side of agangster and what he'll do to help the ones he cares for. I recommend this film to the not only the lovers of 1940 gangsterpictures but to people who are interested in something more than justbeing entertained. People want to learn about what it means to be trulygood and what it means to sacrifice for the right thing. This isprobably Cagney's best role next to White Heat because he doessomething he never did before, HE CRIES!

28 April 2012

Great!

Service was great and It was a nice surprise instead of waiting forever.

shhimundercoverdamnit

23 April 2012

Always remember Dont be a sucker.

"All right, fellas... let's go and say a prayer for a boy who couldn'trun as fast as I could." Somepeople say that a persons destiny is madein one single event. That it not only shapes how they are going to end,but also who they become. It could be a job offer, a marriage. Or as itin this film, it could simply be one person being faster than theother.Rocky Sullivan ( James Cagney) and Jerry Connolly ( Pat O'Brien) weretwo street tough kids who grew up together in the toughest part of NewYork --- Hell's Kitchen. Early on, Rocky gets sent to prison, simplyfor the reason that he couldn't outrun the cops. Eventually, this makeshim into a first class criminal.Meanwhile, Jerry, who had managed to escaped from the law, goesstraight and becomes a priest. It is only, as adults, that they areable to reunite in their old neighborhood: but on differentphilosophies. Cagney's Sullivan is a charismatic ghetto tough guy whoseunderworld rise has made him a hero to a gang of slum punks called the' Dead End" kids. In contrast, Connolly vows to end Rocky's influenceon the boys, who, like he and Rocky, could end up on either side of thelaw.Absolutely irresistible stuff, with tons of prewar Brooklyn atmosphere,& Humphrey Bogart in a supporting role as a weasel-like attorney namedFrazier who attempts to double-cross Cagney. At this time, Bogart was abit player for Warner Bros, but his scenes with Cagney are played outextremely well. Though, the role isn't much... Bogart is awesome. AnnSheridan is also fantastic as Sullivan's sharp tough love interest.Ohh yeah, and the final question. Rocky. Yellow or Not?

Rick

23 April 2012

Gotta love Cagney!!

This is one of my all time favorite Gangster movies. James Cagney gives an Oscar Nominatedperformance as Rocky Sullivan. Pat O'Brien givesa good performance as Rocky's former partner in crime who is now a Priest in the slum. HumphreyBogart plays non other than a gangster in a smaller supporting role. Ann Sheridan plays a former hard on her luck lady who likes Cagney's (Rocky). And the Dead End Kids bring their unique comedy to this excellent late 30's gangster film. This is must see movie if your a huge Cagney fan like me.