BenP

(2012-04-29 04:53:23)

Corny but Well Acted!

James Cagney was incredible! He holds a priest hostage, the police realize that his gun was empty during the hostage and he says, "Just like what's in between your thick skull, copper!" The execution scene took three days to shoot and his yellow streak sounded like it was faked! The priest held high moral principles but I couldn't understand the connection between growing up in a bad neighborhood and being attracted to such criminal role models! Overall, it had lots of powerful jolting images in glorious black and white plus the acting performances were top notch all the way around!

whpratt1

(2012-04-28 18:00:58)

Great 1939 Film Classic

Have not seen this picture in a long time but it is always a greattreat to view it again, because it shows just what New York City'sHell's Kitchen looked like on the East Side of Manhattan in the 30's.There were old tenement homes and people use their windows to hang outtheir laundry to dry in the Summer. This film starts out with two boys,Rocky Sullivan, (James Cagney) and Jerry Connolly, (Pat O'Brien) andthey are typical poor boys who have fun fooling around and stealingthings from people. As time goes bye, these two boys grow up and gotheir separate ways in life. Rocky Sullivan wound up in reform school,and then prison and took the rap for James Frazier who owed Rocky hisshare of the money which was $100,00.00. When Rocky gets out of thepen, he comes looking for Frazier who is now a lawyer and he does notwant to part with this money and that is when the story becomes full ofaction and killing. The "Dead End Kids" gave a great supporting roleand Pat O'Brien, (Jerry Connolly) was outstanding playing the role as apriest. Enjoy.

(2012-04-28 19:31:14)

"Morning, gentlemen. Nice day for a Murder"...James Cagney

Warner Bros. Pictures presents "ANGEL WITH DIRTY FACES" (1938) (95 min/B&W) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) -- Starring James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, Humphrey Bogart, Ann Sheridan, George Bancroft, Billy Halop, Bobby Jordan & Leo GorceyDirected by Michael CurtizChildhood chums Rocky Sullivan (James Cagney) and Jerry Connelly (Pat O'Brien) grow up on opposite sides of the fence: Rocky matures into a prominent gangster, while Jerry becomes a priest, tending to the needs of his old tenement neighborhood. Rocky becomes a hero to a gang of teenaged boys (played by Dead End Kids Billy Halop, Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Gabriel Dell, Bobby Jordan and Bernard Punsley). Father Jerry despairs at this, asking Rocky leave them alone so he can keep the kids on the straight and narrow. Then Rocky's crooked business associates Mac Keefer (George Bancroft) and James Frazier (Humphrey Bogart) attempt to end Father Jerry's radio campaign against the rackets by killing the priest. Rocky whose cynical outlook on life has been softened by his romance with true-blue Laury Ferguson (Anne Sheridan) decides its time to challenge his associates and safe-guard Jerry.Oscar Nominations for Best Actor (Cagney), Best Director (Michael Curtiz) & Best WritingHumphrey Bogart meets The Dead End Kids again, after a similar tough-guy role opposed to the boys in "Dead End" (1937)BIOS:1. Michael Curtiz [aka: ManГѓВі KertГѓВ©sz Kaminer] [Director]Date of Birth: 24 December 1886 - Budapest, Austria-Hungary (now Hungary)Date of Death: 10 April 1962 - Hollywood, California2. James Cagney [aka: James Francis Cagney]Date of Birth: 17 July 1899 - New York City, New YorkDate of Death: 30 March 1986 - Stanfordville, New York3. Pat O'BrienDate of Birth: 11 November 1899 - Milwaukee, WisconsinDate of Death: 15 October 1983 - Santa Monica, California4. Humphrey BogartDate of Birth: 25 December 1899 - New York City, New YorkDate of Death: 14 January 1957 - Los Angeles, California5. Ann SheridanDate of Birth: 21 February 1915 - Denton, TexasDate of Death: 21 January 1967 - Los Angeles, CaliforniaMr. Jim's Ratings:Quality of Picture & Sound: 5 StarsPerformance: 5 StarsStory & Screenplay: 5 StarsOverall: 5 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]Total Time: 95 min on DVD ~ Warner Bros. Pictures ~ (01/25/2005)

jaboscariol

(2012-04-28 02:18:32)

Simplistic but fun

This movie is a throwback and yet in some ways fresh if one looks attodays society. Not much has really changed but the black and whitecinematography certainly parallels the plot in many ways. Only thenames and places ( well maybe just the names) have changed over theyears. It is very simplistic and almost depressingly obvious in it'smoral message to the audience. However, this glamorized tour of prewarAmerican urban crime and punishment can be a fun filled way of simplybeing entertained without having to be subject to todays all to commonpretentionist attitudes. This is definitely a beer and popcorn , stokethe fire, sit back and relax movie .... nothing more and certainlynothing less. Enjoy!

policy134

(2012-04-26 08:08:02)

Great performance by Cagney and the great twist at the end makes this one of the best 30's films ever made

I always get a kick out of watching these Warner Bros. movies starringall the great contractees like Bogie, Cagney or even Edward G. Robinson- with the possible exception of George Raft.Angels with Dirty Faces was a tour de force for James Cagney and manyof the mannerisms that he is now famous for, although somemisinterpreted, are present here. His great partner-in-crime, PatO'Brien plays his best boyhood friend and would forever be associatedwith his character, the priest who is basically a street thug turnedstraight. It's especially funny to see the characters as boys becausethe actor who plays Rocky (the Cagney character) bares an incredibleresemblance to Cagney himself.Through many films Cagney would be pigeonholed as the tough guy,starting with his performance in Public Enemy (a film that I didn'tenjoy so much because of the lack of tongue-in-cheek humor which Angelshas in spades). The cast is rounded out with Ann Sheridan as the kindof down-to-earth next-door girl she played to the hilt. For a totallydifferent Sheridan see the movie "The man who came to Dinner". Lastthere are "The Dead End Kids" or later "The Bowery Boys" who arebasically complete stereotypes of tough smart-alecky punks which thesemovies were full of in American movies throughout the 30's and 40's.They are a little bit hard to take and one can only wonder how theymanaged to have careers in showbiz for so long.A minor flaw in this film is the rather speedy treatment of RockySullivan's fall but the ending is masterful and was discussed endlesslyamong movie buffs (Is Rocky doing the noble thing or is he trulyyellow?). That is the beauty of the movies. Like works of art they areto be interpreted and not to be taken at face value.The director, Michael Curtiz, was of course one of the greats and wouldlater make the classic "Casablanca" but his somewhat crass demeanorproved to be his downfall in the 50's where actors took more control oftheir careers instead of having the studio executives and directorscontrolling virtually every aspect of their lives. Had he lived todayhe would have been called every four-letter word imaginable but he didmake a great impact which should not be forgotten.

John T. Ryan

(2012-04-26 01:17:52)

Setting the Bar higher in the Juvenile Delinquent sub-genre of the Gangster Film. The One they're all compared to.

Sidney Kingsley's socially conscious drama DEAD END played on Broadwayfrom October 1935 until June of 1937 for a total of 687 performances.The powerful play didn't go unnoticed on the West Coast, so the screenrights were purchased post haste by Samuel Goldwyn and the screenadaptation of DEAD END (1937) was released for all the World to view.But it wasn't just the screen rights that were taken from Broadway toTinsel Town, for the group of young toughs, who many thought wereactual delinquents from the Slums got Movie Contracts from Mr.Goldwyn.So, Billy Hallop, Leo Gorcey, Hunyz Hall, Gabriel Dell, Bobby Jordanand Bernard Punsly headed west to fame and fortune on the SilverScreen. Also making the trek West was Marjorie Main in order that shemight reprise her role as Mrs. Martin, mother of "Baby Face".Once DEAD END was completed, Mr. Goldwyn sold the contracts of theyoung guys to Jack Warner, Studio Chief of his namesake company. Oncethere, they were put to work on some rather serious socially consciousmovies like THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL, CRIME SCHOOL, HELL'S KITCHEN andwith James Cagney, Pat O'Brien and Anne Sheridan, ANGELS WITH DIRTYFACES.And so we have today's victim, which probably has some of the greatestsingle scenes and characters in film history. Surely it may well be thequintessential Gangster-Young Toughs movie from the Golden Era of theSound Film (formerly called "Talkies".) I mean this ANGELS WITH DIRTYFACES seemingly has just about anything you could want. We have anopening scene in the "old Neighborhood" where the principal charactersof Rocky Sullivan (James Cagney) and Fr. Jerry Connelly (Pat O'Brien)had spent their youth as tough, street guys. The Juveniles playing theyoung men are Rocky (young Cagney look-alike, Frankie Burke) and Fr.Connelly (William Tracy).The pivotal incident occurs when the two young friends are walking(trespassing) through the Train Yards when they happen on some box carhas cases of fountain pens, which they decide to pilfer. The RailroadsDicks come along, and in attempting to flee the scene, young Rocky getscaught and sent to Reform School; but refuses to implicate Jerry onanyone else.We're next treated to a montage of Rocky's headlines and hold-ups.Meanwhile, Jerry winds up going to the Seminary to study for thePriesthood.Well, years pass and we have a great reunion, back in the old 'hood"where one man is now the Parish Priest, the other an up and comingex-con and racketeer. Oh, yeah I almost forgot to mention! AnneSheridan is there; her character also was a child of the oldstompin'grounds.We're not going to elaborate on the re-cap of the story any more. Weall know the story, more or less. The two friends from the same oldneighborhood, running together as kids and one becomes a Priest, theother a Hood. One ends up paying the price, but can do a great serviceto the other and the current kids in the area. Could this be just atrifle clichГѓВ© ridden? It seems that way because this was the one moviethat set the standards and invented the complex situations that were sowidely imitated.And that friends adds up to a one of a kind, singular, masterpiece ofthe cinematic arts and a huge slice of what America and its people arereally all about.

theowinthrop

(2012-04-23 19:57:12)

Cagney's 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.

ironside

(2012-04-22 23:28:54)

A favorite Bogart film by default...

"Angels With Dirty Faces" has become a favorite Bogart film by default;it has been shown so often and has served as the prime source ofmaterial for countless satirists and impressionists… It is the familiar tale of two young boys who grow up to be on opposingsides of the field—one a gangster (James Cagney) and the other apriest, (Pat O'Brien). The story was obviously sentimental… Its savingvirtues were the performances by the leads, clever and suave, energeticdirection by Michael Curtiz, and a good music score by Max Steiner… Bogart had little, and certainly nothing new, to do as he playedCagney's lawyer-turned-nightclub-owner who double-crosses him…

TimothyFarrell

(2012-04-19 15:29:28)

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)

Mark Palfreeman

(2012-04-19 06:39:31)

What dya hear? What dya say?

Angel's With Dirty Faces is a very 1930's take on the criminalunderworld that existed during the prohibition era. It is a far cryfrom the Godfather or Goodfellas but there is a certain romance inthat. The story surrounds a gangster named Rocky Sullivan (JamesCagney) who is idolised by some young boys, much to the annoyance ofhis childhood friend priest Father Connelly (Pat O'Brien). As hepursues his life of crime, Sullivan is torn between his reputation as ahard man and the pleads from his friend to set a better example to thechildren. The film is filled with moments of action and suspense, butisn't that fast paced. However it has a good story with importantideals and is well executed by an early master of the genre in Cagney.It is well directed and features some wonderful early media techniques.It is interesting to watch today as its strong story makes it remain avery watchable film, but also to see how boundaries within the genrehave changed.

dglink

(2012-04-10 21:49:42)

Cagney in an an Iconic Gangster Role

James Cagney first portrayed a gangster in "Public Enemy" and began tocreate an indelible screen image as a tough guy, which endured despiteoccasional forays into lighter fare like "Footlight Parade" and "YankeeDoodle Dandy." In the late 1940's, he took his gangster image intomiddle age and to the edge of madness in "White Heat." But hisportrayal of Rocky Sullivan in "Angels with Dirty Faces" is the perfectembodiment of James Cagney, the screen's peerless tough guy. Cocky,arrogant, remorseless, Cagney's Rocky is an iconic portrayal of the1930's gangster. Despite great support from Pat O'Brien, Anne Sheridan,and Humphrey Bogart, the film is Cagney's show, although he is off thescreen much of the time. As the boy who did not run fast enough from acrime, was caught by the police, sent to reform school, and learned tobe a criminal, Cagney dominates the film. He is the corrupt reflectionof the O'Brien character, who was Rocky's boyhood friend, outran thepolice, and eventually became a priest. The film pits the two friendsagainst each other in adulthood for the minds and souls of a group ofyoung boys, who are amusingly played by Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, and therest of the Dead End kids. The film builds to a powerful climax that isa classic scene in cinema history. The final powerful images and dialogwill haunt the viewer and leave him or her to ponder whether or notRocky had honored his lifelong friend's final request or not.

Andrew

(2012-04-10 06:23:44)

James Cagney: American Archetype

To be honest, I picked out this movie at Blockbuster tonight because itshares its title with an album by Tricky. (More accurately, the film lentits title to the album, but that's neither here nor there.) The image ofJames Cagney on the box cover was an immediate turn-on. The fact thatit'sa gangster flick, particularly a '30s gangster flick, sealed the deal.I believe this is the first James Cagney movie I've ever seen in full.Muchof the film was like remembering a dream. The character of James Cagney(not Rocky Sullivan, his role, but James Cagney) is one that is embeddedinour common American psyche. From his wide flat face and slightlyexaggerated good posture to the nasal twang of his voice and datedvernacular like `whadaya see? whadaya hear?', and `in a pig's eye!', JamesCagney, the man, has been caricatured countless times. He is an Americanarchetype, a persona I know from the Muppet Show, and Sesame Street, fromSaturday Night Live, and un-attributed, nudge-nudge-you-know-who-I'm-doingimpersonations on late night talk shows.The film itself is a wonderful testament to the fame and allure of TheGangster. Rocky Sullivan, after being released from jail, returns homewhere he finds a boyhood brother-in-arms (now a priest), a girl he used toflirt with, and a group of teenage fledgling wise guys. He and the priestbecome fraternally, diametrically opposed. He gets the girl, AnnSheridan.The pubescent gang falls in love with him. With his courage. With hismoney. With his power. With his gangsterdom. This idolatry is the mostinteresting point of the film coming down to a tantalizing, ambiguousfinale.Only adding to the pleasure that this movie brings are Humphrey Bogart asone of Cagney's associates, a John Candy look-alike as one of Bogart'smiddlemen, and two child actors who are the spitting image of young JamesCagney and young Ann Sheridan.

Mcfly-30

(2012-04-10 14:32:11)

What A Great Way To Discover Cagney's Genius

I've only seen little snippets of Cagney stuff in the past, usually inrandom film montages, but I finally decided to rent one of his flicks. Thiswas a great film. The setup hooked me into the story instantly and Icouldn't help, but marvel at Cagney's presence onscreen, which isintimidating, evil, hilarious and very very dangerous.I thought the relationship between Cagney and his old girlfriend was alittle hard to swallow, but other than that I was mystified, especially by atough ending that I don't think I'll ever forget. What a great cast too,the young ones were surprisingly realistic and all held their own. Definately worth a rental, purchase-whatever. I'll be checking out moreCagney stuff in the future.

(2012-04-10 03:43:47)

What do ya hear,what do ya say!

I first saw this movie when I was about 12,I was just like the deadend kidsI loved Rocky Sullivan and I was crushed when Rocky went to the chair and turned Yellow! It was the first time a ending broke my heart!I did not want to believethat Rocky would turn yellow,but I was not quite sure if he was faking because of the deadend kids! Stll not sure!

Jamal

(2012-04-03 07:59:05)

Simply put...

a classic! Today's films are made based upon this and other films from this era. The ending is somewhat predictable but...so what! its still a great movie.

jyoung-11

(2012-04-02 14:03:05)

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.

(2012-03-28 06:05:32)

Great Gangster Movie

One of the best gangster movies ever made. Cagney - the dirty rat - is at his best. Excellent cast. It helps that my Dad is the soloist/boy in the choir. Enjoy the message at the end as well. Crime does not pay and is not glamerous!

Matt Carpenter

(2012-03-27 17:59:04)

Brilliant

A brilliant, superb film about two friends: one grew up to be a priest; theother, a crook. James Cagney is in top criminal form in the powerful andgripping drama. Pat O'Brien gives a good performance as his childhoodfriend, a priest who wishes to save Cagney's soul. Humphrey Bogart is goodas Cagney's partner in crime. I would definitely recommend this classicfilm.

bobsgrock

(2012-03-24 12:19:10)

What do you hear? What do you say?

Angels with Dirty Faces is one of the best gangster movies of classicHollywood because it is not only about a gangster. Rather, it is abouthis life, the rise and fall of his role as a criminal who stillmaintains a friendship with his boyhood pal who has gone the completeopposite route as a priest.Here James Cagney portrays Rocky Sullivan, a tough-guy all his life whostill has a place in his heart for Jerry Connolly (Pat O'Brien), asoft-spoken parishioner who tries desperately to reform the young kidson the street. Both see this, and both have their own ideas about whatthese kids' futures should be. The film delves much further than justtwo boys on opposite sides of the law. Rather, here we see Rocky as hisambition turns to fruition but Jerry as he struggles to win over thesewanna-be tough kids. These guys have opposing world-views but commonlycare for these kids and each other. The way director Michael Curtizworks them together is one of the great treasures of this movie.We also get Humphrey Bogart in a supporting role as a weakling of alawyer and Ann Sheridan as the woman who attempts to see throughRocky's hard shell. As I said before, this is a better gangster filmthan say Scarface or Little Caesar because it takes the criminal lifeseriously. Here, we see the roots and consequences of that ravishinglifestyle. We also get the message that there are common bonds thattranscend our normal lifestyles. Truly one of the premiere films of the1930s, this is a classic that must always be remembered.

Werner

(2012-03-24 08:10:31)

Morale ? Double Morale ? or just entertainment with a front ?

The story seems to be well known, as well as the Warner Brothers"enveloping" their straight forward crime action into some moralcommentary or some warm words of "Crime doesn't pay". However, it takesa relentless tongue-in-cheek actor like Pat O'Brien to carry thismessage thru. And turning a tough-as-hell criminal like James Cagney toa yellow coward in the last minute for the sake of saving others fromfollowing in his footsteps ? That forgiven, we get a nice little actionpacked movie, with H. Bogart in a secondary role, in which he couldn'toutlive a bigger name of that time like Cagney. (They actually nevermade a movie later, when his improved status would have allowed forthat). So, all in all, 1 out 10 taken out for the morale, it is 7points still.