This film was on a list of crime films that I received from my screenwriting professor from graduate school. It's an old film, in black and white, and has served as a joke or satire for another film; Johnny Dangerously starring Michael Keaton. The film is rather good and has several twists and turns. And of course Cagney makes it enjoyable. His signature accent and psychotic gangster manners are entertaining. I most enjoyed when the government agent is revealed and Cagney musters out "a copper, and I was gonna split 50/50 with a copper!" It is a great piece of dialogue that only Cagney could do.
The film was written well. It transitions from one scene to the next without ever becoming too boring or too much style without much substance. Even the jailhouse scenes contain some entertaining bits. Like when Big Ed's agent attempts to kill Cagney by dropping an engine on him.
It's too bad I've seen Johnny Dangerously more times then probably should have. It really ruins the independence of this film. A number of parts are taken directly from this film into that one. I enjoyed watching the film. I could watch it again. It really does show some of the instruments that crime films use to engage the viewer. The government agent. The psychotic gangster with headaches and mommy complex. The blonde dame. The underling who tries to take over the gang. These are all used well by the writer of the film. A good film. Cagney has done quite a few good gangster movies. It's too bad they don't make 'em like they used to.
No comments:
Post a Comment