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I know I’ve been away a while, just found it hard to watch
as much films as I would need to in order to participate. Anyway, im here this
week!
And this week the theme is gangsters. Funsies. Of course
there are a ton of famous gangster movies such as The Godfather, Goodfelleas,
Casino, White Heat but the gangster genre was at its peak around the time talkies
were all the rage (and just before the Hays Code) so it’s not a surprise one of
my picks is from that era.
I could have picked numerous movies from pre-code America,
but if they didn’t star either James Cagney (The Public Enemy), Edward G Robinson
(Little Ceasar) or Paul Muni (Scarface) I was picking worngly. This was when the gangster genre was
at its most popular as the lack of the Hays Code allowed them to be a little
more violent, raunchier, riskier and bolder than one would expect for the 1930s.
Little Ceasar isn’t quite as brutal as some of its rivals (such as Scarface),
but it had a tough, sleazy tone that worked wonders for the film's atmosphere. It
also made a name of the great character actor Edward G Robinson.
Any heist film that was made after 1955 was perhaps
influenced by this classic French Noir. Jules Dassin’s Rififi is famous for its
30-minute dialogue free heist sequence which, to this day, remains influential.
Such as its influence, real life thieves copied the techniques employed by the
gangsters and thieves and therefore the movie was banned in some parts (such as
Finland and Mexico).
The most modern movie on this list is one you’ve probably
seen. Fernando Meirelles’ Cidade de Deus (City of God) sprawls three decades
(starting in the 1960s and ending in the 80s) and is set in the favelas of Rio
de Janeiro. The film tackes themes of poverty, violence and why this life appeals to
the young. It’s a gripping and powerful film and one of the best of the
century.
I'm 0/3 for your picks this week, but these all sound really interesting.
ReplyDeleteSurprised you haven't seen City of God. Check that one out
DeleteI'm glad this column is back!
ReplyDeleteI've only seen CITY OF GOD. I didn't know about RIFIFI until an episode of THE AMERICANS referenced it.
haha. I will try and make it more regular.
DeleteI love that you didn't go with the famous gangster movies. I haven't seen any of these but I need to see Rififi.
ReplyDeleteI tried to aviod The Godfather and Goodfellas
DeleteThe only one I haven't seen is the one you said we probably have! HA! I'll have to add it to my list.
ReplyDeleteYou can see why Little Caesar shot Edward G. to the top. He embodies the role so well, but then he was always a fascinating screen performer whether playing a good guy or a bad one.
Rififi fascinated me from start to finish and you're so right about its influence on future films.
You're right again that the early gangster films did have a punch that was diluted by the code and the three picks could have easily been all EGR or Paul Muni films but I selected your third mention and went all Cagney....though only the first is pre-code.
The Public Enemy (1931)-Tom Powers (Cagney-in the role that made him a major star) is a small-time hood, vicious and consciousless who climbs to success on the back of Prohibition and his willingness to do whatever necessary-rob, maim, kill-to gain advantage. The film chronicles that rise, and fall, as well as his entanglement with two women Gwen (Jean Harlow, this was one of her earliest appearances, don’t judge her on it-she’s awful-look to her MGM comedies where she’s great) and Kitty (Mae Clarke) who famously receives a grapefruit in her kisser when she mouths off to Cagney. This William Wellman directed picture is one of the formative films in creating the gangster drama.
The Roaring Twenties (1939)-Eddie Bartlett (Cagney), George Hally (Humphrey Bogart) and Lloyd Hart (Jeffrey Lynn) strike up a friendship in a foxhole during WWI. Once back in the States they go their separate ways but eventually circumstances bring them back together in the bootlegging business where they find enormous success until jealousies, rivalries and the stock market crash brings it all tumbling down. One of the last great gangster films of the 30’s with a fantastic cast including Priscilla Lane and a scene stealing Gladys George as the lovelorn songbird Panama Smith who delivers the film’s iconic last line.
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (1950)-Amoral gangster Ralph Cotter (Cagney) breaks out of prison along with fellow prisoner Carleton (Neville Brand). When Carlton is injured Cotter murders him to speed his escape and jumps right back into crime blackmailing Carleton’s sister Holiday (Barbara Payton) into a relationship to conceal her part in aiding their jailbreak. Discovering graft Cotter pressures a couple of crooked cops (Barton MacLane and Ward Bond) and an equally corrupt lawyer (Luther Adler) into a scheme to bilk heiress Margaret Dobson (Helena Carter) out of a fortune. Things do not go as planned. This was the highpoint of leading lady Barbara Payton’s career. A beautiful if somewhat hard looking blonde at this time she was considered a rising star but after a scandal plagued and notorious career she fell as far as it’s possible to go ending up a drug addicted skid row hooker (once being mistaken for a pile of garbage after being left next to a dumpster following a beating) before her death from organ failure at 39.
A ganster film with James Cagney is always gonna be good. Thought I haven't seen all your picks I have heard of the top two and have been meaning to see them
DeleteEdward G. Robinson is sooooo good in Little Caesar. Great movie. And City of God is even better. Amazing film I now feel like rewatching. I need to see your other pick.
ReplyDeleteEdward G. Robinson is amazing in everything
DeleteI like to see the films here especially Little Caesar which has been one that evaded my eyes but I want to make that one up.
ReplyDeleteLittle Caesar is certianly worth checking out :D
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