James Cagney Blogathon---The Public Enemy (1931)

For the next five days, it's all things James Cagney over at The Movie Projector.  There are thirty bloggers participating in a salute to one of the most sensational actors there has ever been...or will ever be.  In conjunction with the blogathon, host R.D. is offering a giveaway of the 2-disc edition of Yankee Doodle Dandy, the film for which Mr. Cagney won his only Lead Actor Academy Award.  For more information about the giveaway and to read all the other wonderful entries in the event, go HERE.

My contribution to this fantastic blogathon is that quintessential gangster film from 1931, The Public Enemy.  Directed by William Wellman, The Public Enemy provided Mr. Cagney with his breakthrough role, as he was moved from a secondary character to the lead one before filming began. Though Jean Harlow gets second billing, she's really quite a minor player.  The film is all Cagney's, with supporting help from Harlow, Edward Woods, Donald Cook, and Joan Blondell.  Mae Clarke, Beryl Mercer, and Leslie Fenton also have feature parts in this terrific 5-star film, which in my mind remains the measuring stick of all gangster films, even now, some 80 years after its release.

The film begins in 1909 on the streets of Chicago, where two young boys, Tom Powers (who will grow up to be James Cagney) and Matt Doyle (who will grow up to be Edward Woods) are beginning down the road which will ultimately lead them to organized crime.  With Tom as the instigator, the boys are repeated troublemakers, even stealing for local gangster Putty Nose (Murray Kinnell).  Matt's sister, Molly, warns Tom that he's no good and will end up in jail someday.

As the years go by, Tom and Matt grow to manhood, getting involved in ever-bigger capers, now with guns in their hands.  When things go haywire during their robbery of a fur company and one of their own is killed, ringleader Putty Nose skips town, leaving the boys feeling double-crossed and desirous of revenge.  They soon join forces with another local gangster, Paddy Ryan (Robert O'Connor).

After their first big payoff, Tom and Matt delight in getting fitted for fancy suits and, afterwards, enjoy a night on the town.  Matt soon finds himself in love with Mamie (Joan Blondell), while Tom spends time with Kitty (Mae Clarke), before ditching her for Gwen (Jean Harlow).

As Prohibition becomes the law of the land in 1920, Tom and Matt are primed to become big shots.  Operating a bootleg beer business, Paddy joins forces with another local mobster, Nails Nathan (Leslie Fenton). Gang warfare ultimately breaks out, and many are sure to get caught in the crossfire.  How it all plays out is the balance of the film.



The Public Enemy is a simply sensational film.  The direction is fantastic...the cinematography is appropriately stark and gritty...the acting---especially that of James Cagney---is brilliant.  He plays the cold, heartless, evil Tom Powers to absolute perfection.  Especially upon discovering that these gangster roles were just a way to pay the bills...that Cagney really preferred song-and-dance roles...you realize just what an amazing performance he gave here.  I think it's one of his best---though being honest, I think Mr. Cagney (whom I positively adore!) always gave a "best" performance.

One of the most haunting scenes in all of film history (to me) is Tom Powers' final arrival at his mother's door.  It's a sight that will stick with you for days.  (Can't say more, so as not to give away the ending to those who may not have seen this film yet.)

Probably my favorite scene in the film is the one which gives a little glimpse into the song-and-dance life of James Cagney.  It's short and, perhaps, unnoticed by most people.  After obtaining Gwen's telephone number, Tom does a little two-step on the sidewalk.  With Mr. Cagney's love for dance, I figure that was an improvisation to put a little of himself into the film.

When production of The Public Enemy got underway, Cagney was originally hired for the Matt Doyle role; however, by the time shooting commenced, it was realized that Cagney was the more dominant personality and, thus, ought to have the star part.  Mr. Cagney puts it this way in his autobiography, Cagney by Cagney, "Public Enemy was about two street pals---one soft-spoken, the other a really tough little article.  For some incredible reason, I was cast as the quiet one; and Eddie Woods, a fine actor, but a boy of gentle background, well-spoken and well-educated became the tough guy.  Fortunately, Bill Wellman, the director, had seen Doorway to Hell , and he quickly became aware of the obvious casting error.  He knew at once that I could project that direct gutter quality, so Eddie and I switched roles after Wellman made an issue of it with Darryl Zanuck."  This casting change had huge bearing on Mr. Cagney's career, because after The Public Enemy, Warners gave him star billing.

In his typical humble way, Mr. Cagney doesn't have a negative word to say about anyone in the cast.  He called Donald Cook, who played his brother in the film, "that good actor."  He also said, "Public Enemy had a fine cast:  Eddie, Donald, Mae Clarke, and the unforgettable Jean Harlow, whom, he said, was "very pleasant to work with."  The two never saw each other again after Public Enemy, but Mr. Cagney was, nevertheless, saddened by her untimely death.

One of the most memorable scenes in James Cagney's career is the infamous grapefruit scene, in which Tom, frustrated by his girlfriend's (Mae Clarke) nagging, shoves a grapefruit in her face.  According to Mr. Cagney's autobiography, the scene had been "derived from a real incident in Chicago when a hoodlum named Hymie Weiss took an omelet prepared by his overly-talkative girlfriend and shoved it in her face.  Of course, an omelet was a bit too messy to be repeated on the screen, so the grapefruit was substituted."



A little anecdote about that scene is that "Miss Clarke was once married to Monte Brice, Fanny's brother.  Mae and Monte divorced , and apparently with a little rancor, because every time Cagney pushed the grapefruit into Mae's face at the Strand Theatre, there was a guaranteed audience of one---Monte.  He would come in just before the scene was shown, gloat over it, then leave."

The Public Enemy is a totally brilliant movie...a definite must-see, as it paved the way for all gangster films following in its wake.  It is one of my 10 favorite films of the 1930's, my 2nd favorite James Cagney film, and among my 40 all-time favorite movies.  I cannot recommend it highly enough.  Out on DVD and soon to be released on Blu-Ray, the film should be very easy to track down.  It is also on the TCM schedule for Sunday, June 2nd, at 12:30 p.m. (ET).  Do try to catch it---you will absolutely not be disappointed.

Happy viewing!!

All quoted material derived from Cagney by Cagney, by James Cagney, Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1976

Invisible Stripes (4 stars)

Invisible Stripes, from 1939, is a gangster drama starring George Raft, Jane Bryan, and William Holden, with Humphrey Bogart, and Flora Robson taking on supporting roles.  It's a film made before either Bogart or Holden had really hit their stride; in fact, it's only the 2nd credited film appearance of Mr. Holden.

At Sing Sing Prison, two convicts have served their time and are being released.  There's Cliff Taylor (George Raft), a man who has been successfully rehabilitated and who has every intention of going straight from here on out.  With faith in Taylor's ability to readjust to life in the outside world, the prison warden proudly bids him farewell.

Chuck Martin (Humphrey Bogart), on the other hand, is a repeat offender with zero intention of living a law-abiding life.  The warden knows Martin's time in prison has done nothing to change him; in fact, he would hold him longer if he could.

As the two men travel home on the train together, Martin finds Cliff Taylor's determination to go straight quite laughable.  With the "invisible stripes" of his prison record, Chuck insists, Cliff won't be given a chance and, therefore, will end up resorting to crime once more.  Sure that won't be the case, Cliff heads for home...hopes high.

The years in prison having given him an appreciation for freedom and for home, Cliff sees through new eyes the tiny apartment he shares with his mother (Flora Robson) and younger brother, Tim (William Holden).  What he formerly thought a dump now is beautiful to him.

To celebrate Cliff's homecoming, Mrs. Taylor has arranged a dinner party, with Cliff's girlfriend, Sue, in attendance.  It doesn't take Cliff long to discover that Sue doesn't want anything to do with an ex-con.

Unfortunately, Sue isn't the only one not interested in an ex-con.   Because of his prison record, Cliff is unable to get a break in the working world---no one trusts him, and no one wants to hire him.  When he finally does get a job, he is fingered as the "inside man" and arrested after the store is burglarized.

Brother Tim is in love with Peggy (Jane Bryan), and the two of them want to get married; however, due to insufficient funds they have been unable to set a date.  Anxious to be able to support a wife, Tim tells Cliff he has thought about crime.  Of course, Cliff is angered by Tim's talk and is determined to keep his brother from walking the criminal path he did.  Not convinced that honesty is the best policy, Tim informs Cliff that he has to see it in order to believe it.

Desperate to make money and prove to Tim that going straight is the only way, yet unable to get a break for himself, Cliff calls on his old relationship with Chuck Martin.

Though he has, in fact, gotten involved with Martin's gang and is part of a bank robbery, Cliff deceives his family into believing he has gotten an out of town sales job.  With the money Cliff sends home, Tim and Peggy are able to get married and Tim is able to purchase the garage he's been wanting.

Does Cliff's family discover he has reverted to crime in order to keep Tim from following in his shoes?  Does Tim stay on the straight and narrow?  Is Cliff able to break away from Martin's gang and live the honest life he really desires to live?  These are the questions which play out in the remainder of the film.

Invisible Stripes is a terrific film, with a great message about giving people a chance.  Although I watched this for my William Holden birthday month celebration, the film is, in fact, George Raft's.  He is wonderful here---humble, contrite, determined, responsible.  His character is extremely likeable and one I couldn't help rooting for.  He was a man who was devoted to his family, especially his momma, and I found his scenes with Flora Robson beautiful and touching.  In fact, I even got misty-eyed a couple times---not often that happens in a gangster film.

Adding to the great character traits was the sight of Mr. Raft in a suit!

Even in just a white shirt and tie, he was incredibly handsome.

William Holden---only 21 here---has not yet reached that maturity which would make him heartthrob material.  Oh, he's cute here, but in another ten years, he would be gorgeous!!

This film is out on DVD, so it ought to be fairly easy to track down.  Also, it is on the TCM schedule for Tuesday, April 17th at 6:00 a.m. (EDT).  George Raft fans will surely love this...as will William Holden fans.

Happy viewing!!

The Damned Don't Cry (4 stars)

The Damned Don't Cry--a solid 4-star film for me---is a romantic crime/drama from 1950.  Starring Joan Crawford, David Brian, Steve Cochran, and Kent Smith, this movie, which gets to the action immediately, also falls into the noir genre.  This is another of the films I enjoyed for the first time as part of my Joan Crawford birthday celebration.

In the desert of California, land surveyors come upon the dead body of a notorious racketeer; with no clues immediately available, detectives look into the man's home movies, which reveal that he was somehow connected to Texas oil heiress, Lorna Hanson Forbes (Joan Crawford).  A visit to Miss Forbes' home reveals blood on the carpet of her empty house, and not sure whether that means she, too, was slain, the authorities begin an active search for her.  Meanwhile, in another part of the city, the missing woman is reflecting on how she came to find herself on the run.

After her young son is killed while riding the bicycle she insisted he be given, money-hungry Ethel Whitehead (as Lorna was known then) sees no reason to stay with the husband she doesn't love.  Tired of scraping and penny-pinching, yet barely getting by, Ethel wants more out of life and moves to New York where she begins a modeling career.  In addition to modeling dresses, Ethel entertains her boss's out of town buyers by taking them to Grady's, a local gambling establishment.

Grady's is only a small part of a much larger operation of illegal activities---narcotics, prostitution, and gambling are all part of the business of George Castleman (David Brian), and Ethel, anxious to make up for all the lean years, soon gets involved with him.  At Castleman's suggestion, Ethel invents an impressive past and takes on the grand socialite-sounding name of Lorna Hanson Forbes.  Now the mistress of the wealthy, powerful Castleman, Lorna is privy to many of his business dealings, so when it appears to Castleman that his associate Nick Prenta (Steve Cochran) is double-crossing him, he sends Lorna/Ethel to seduce the man and discover what he is up to.

With Castleman's promise to be free when she returns, Ethel/Lorna sets out for California and quickly puts her plan into motion.  What she didn't count on, though, was falling for Nick.  Suddenly, she doesn't want to report his disloyalty to Castleman, but when reports from Lorna aren't forthcoming, the big man decides to investigate for himself.  Will he find out that Nick intends to doublecross him?  Will he realize that Lorna is in love with Nick?  And what about the honest CPA (Kent Smith), who the flirtatious Lorna led right into the lion's den of criminal activity?  And just which one of these men is the one thrown into the California desert?  How it all plays out is the balance of the film.

The Damned Don't Cry is a very interesting, exciting, suspenseful film.  Each one of the stars----Crawford, Brian, Smith, and Cochran---was great in their part.  While Joan, at 44, may have been a trifle old to be playing the femme fatale role, that didn't matter to me.  I thought her performance was believable, and even if a younger woman would have been more appropriate for the seduction of Steve Cochran (who was 33 here), I think Joan played the part perfectly.  I thought she was fantastic...as was Cochran.  He was his usual wonderful, sleazy self.  David Brian, as the brutal crime boss, was terrific as well.  The exciting storyline, coupled with the great acting, makes this a very solid 4-star film for me.  The only negative I have is that everything seemed to wrap up too quickly, making the ending a bit abrupt.

The film is out on DVD as part of the Joan Crawford Collection.  Other titles in that 5-volume collection are The Women, Possessed, Mildred Pierce, and Humoresque.  Fans of Miss Crawford ought to really enjoy this film.

Happy viewing!!

Force of Evil (3 stars)

Force of Evil---a solid 3-star film for me---is a gritty crime drama/film noir starring John Garfield and Thomas Gomez.  This 1948 film, which features another outstanding performance by Mr. Garfield, is one which I recently watched for the first time.

A lawyer for a racketeer, Joe Morse (Garfield) is intending to make his first million dollars on the upcoming 4th of July holiday.  Knowing that the numbers played will undoubtedly be 776, Joe's employer is "fixing" things so that those are the numbers which hit, thereby causing a run on the "numbers banks."  With all the banks scrambling to make their payoffs, most are bound to go broke, allowing the syndicate (Joe's client) to put them out of business and gather the market for themselves.  Stepping in after the crash, the syndicate's plan is to loan money to certain banks, but to let certain others be swallowed up.

Joe's only hesitation in the scheme is because his brother, Leo (Thomas Gomez), runs one of the operations, and Joe wants to warn him.  He plans to encourage Leo to close up shop early...before he's had a chance to receive any 776 bets.  No bets means no payoffs to break him.  The powers-that-be, however, deny Joe permission to do that, forcing him to double-cross the syndicate and take matters into his own hands.

What happens to Leo, who really believes he runs a legitimate lottery operation?  What happens to Joe when the gangsters realize one of their own has double-crossed them?  These are the questions which play out in the balance of the film.

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Force of Evil is an interesting, exciting, suspenseful film, with superb performances by all.  John Garfield was terrific here---another of the many roles which I think is perhaps his best.  Beyond Garfield, though, is Thomas Gomez.  Wow!  He was the star of the show for me.  Really, his performance surpassed even the brilliance of Garfield!  Thomas Gomez may be a name you don't automatically recognize---well, he was Edward G. Robinson's chief hood (Curly) in Key Largo.  Though in somewhat of a supporting role here, he definitely more than held his own with Mr. Garfield. I have to admit, however, that this film was ultra-confusing to me.  Perhaps because I don't fully grasp the "numbers game," syndicates, and "numbers banks," I was a little perplexed on occasion.  I enjoyed the story and the acting (and I always love Mr. Garfield); however, if  I had understood the film a bit more, I'm sure I would have gone with 4 stars.  Therefore, while I'm calling this a 3-star film, it could easily be 4.

The film is out on DVD, so it should be fairly easy to track down.  At one point, it was available on YouTube; however, I can't find it there anymore, so it must have been removed.

Happy viewing!!

Out of the Fog (3 stars)

Out of the Fog, from 1941, is a film noir/gangster drama starring Ida Lupino and John Garfield, with Thomas Mitchell and Eddie Albert taking on supporting roles.  In honor of Ida's February birthday and Mr. Garfield's upcoming March birthday, I decided to celebrate both of them by enjoying a re-watch of this film, which is based on the Irwin Shaw play The Gentle People.  I think this is one of Garfield's nastiest roles, and, wow, was he sensational.

Arrogant, cocky, and brutal, racketeer Harold Goff (John Garfield) makes his living extorting money from the residents of a small fishing community.  Calling himself the fishermen's protector, Goff demands a weekly payment from each man, and those that cannot---or will not---pay, suffer the consequences, generally in the form of a destroyed boat, but sometimes in the form of a beating.  Rarely does anyone stand up to Goff, but Jonah Goodwin (Thomas Mitchell) is determined to do so.  However, Jonah's bravado is short-lived as he and his partner are bullied into signing a loan contract.  Telling Goff that he will never live to be an old man, Jonah is determined to beat Goff at his own game.

Meanwhile, Jonah's daughter, Stella (Ida Lupino), hates her boring, same-old same-old existence.  Wanting riches and excitement, she dumps her "average Joe" boyfriend, George (Eddie Albert), and begins seeing Goff.   Despite Jonah's warnings that Goff is a racketeer, Stella, who finds the man exciting, will not be swayed.  Telling her father that if Goff has a disease, it's one she wants to catch, she makes plans to go away with him.  Jonah, however, will do whatever it takes to prevent that from happening.

Does Stella go away with Goff? Does Jonah break free of Goff's extortion?  Does Goff get his comeuppance?   These are the questions that play out through the remainder of this dark, foggy film.

Out of the Fog is an interesting, exciting, well-acted film.  Both Miss Lupino and Mr. Garfield were totally terrific in their roles...Garfield especially.  While he often took on---and excelled at!!---cynical, hardened, anti-hero roles, here he was even nastier and more of a rebel than usual, and I think he was completely sensational.  I really love to see his performance in roles like this.  Thomas Mitchell was equally wonderful in his role.  Rarely have I seen him give such a commanding performance.  With nearly every scene of this film taking place on a thickly shrouded pier, Out of the Fog sets the classic film noir mood.  Oh, and for those who are fans of the Dead End Kids, Leo Gorcey is in a few scenes of this film...and he is his usual wisecracking, disrespectful self.

Out on DVD, I think this film should be quite easy to track down.  Happy viewing!!

Each Dawn I Die (5 stars)

Each Dawn I Die is another one of those amazing films from the year 1939.   A gritty prison drama, this film stars James Cagney and George Raft, with Jane Bryan and George Bancroft taking on supporting roles.  This is one of many films which I think showcases the absolute brilliance of Mr. Cagney.  Truly,  he was one incredibly fabulous actor...nearly always turning out an Oscar-worthy performance.  He shines brightly in this film...as does George Raft.  Ah, if only George Raft hadn't turned down some of the roles he turned down!!

Frank Ross (James Cagney), a newspaperman who vows to expose political corruption, breaks a story which reveals the great graft among the city's elected officials.  Though Jesse Hanley, who is running for governor, insists that a retraction be printed, Ross refuses, an act for which the hoodlums intend to make him pay dearly.  Knocking Frank unconscious, the thugs douse him in booze and then put him in a car, which they send careening into a high traffic area.  Three people are killed, and though Frank insists he was framed and was neither drunk nor driving the car, he is found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 1-20 years in the penetentiary.

Entering prison, Frank is confident that his newspaper friends will be able to find evidence which proves his innocence; he is sure that his stay there won't be a long one.  However, things don't go as planned, and when months go by and Frank is no closer to proving his innocence than on day one, he begins to change.  Eventually, as he experiences the brutality of the guards, he begins to think and act like a convict.  His only hope is to throw in his lot with hardened criminal, Stacey (George Raft), a repeat offender with connections on the outside.

With Frank's help, Stacey is sure he can bust out, and after he has done so, he promises to track down those responsible for framing Frank.   But will Stacey, who doesn't care about or trust anyone, give a second thought to Frank's predicament after he has reached freedom?  Will Frank ever be exonerated?    Will those responsible for Frank's imprisonment ever be brought to justice?  Those are the questions that play out in this exciting prison drama.

Each Dawn I Die is a bold and exciting film, and the performances of both James Cagney and George Raft are spectacular.  I loved seeing these "bad boy gangster" actors together in a film; though Mr. Raft had appeared in a couple early 30's Cagney films, this one is the only one in which they shared the lead.  And, wow, what a team they were!!  Their brilliant performances are what take this film from 4 to 5 stars.  Jane Bryan, who portrayed Frank Ross's girlfriend, was quite good in her role as well.

As an aside, I learned from watching a James Cagney biography, that gangster roles were not his favorites; far and away, he preferred his song and dance movies (Yankee Doodle Dandy, Something to Sing About, The West Point Story, etc.) and viewed gangster films as simply a way to pay the bills.  Even though these roles weren't his favorite, though, he still gave them his all and was totally sensational in them.

Out on DVD, Each Dawn I Die should be very easy to track down.  James Cagney and George Raft fans will love it, I'm sure.

Happy viewing!!

Manhattan Melodrama (4 stars)

Manhattan Melodrama, from 1934, is a crime drama starring Clark Gable, William Powell, and Myrna Loy.  This film is one I've seen several times, and since it's one of my five favorite Clark Gable films, I decided a re-watch was in order during his birthday month.  Winner of the Academy Award for Best Writing, Manhattan Melodrama also has the distinction of being my absolute favorite of the many Powell/Loy pairings.  While I occasionally consider Evelyn Prentice my favorite of their films, after my most recent viewing of this one, I've changed my mind and swapped the two films around.  (Actually, Manhattan Melodrama is more like 4.5 stars...very close to a "love it!")

Telling the story of two young boys---life-long friends---who grow up on opposing sides of the law, the film begins in 1904, when a pleasure cruise turns deadly. (To learn about the real-life tragedy upon which this scenario is based go HERE.)  Among the many people who lose their lives in the tragedy are the parents of Jim Wade and the mother of Blackie Gallagher.  Already good friends with one another, the two boys are rescued by a priest and then taken into the home of a man whose young son also perished in the fire.  Although that man soon dies and Jim and Blackie no longer live together as brothers, they remain very dear friends; as the years go by and the boys grow to manhood, Jim (William Powell) becomes a lawyer and vows to fight corruption as a prosecutor,

while Blackie (Clark Gable) travels with a rough crowd and runs a gambling establishment.

Despite their differences, though, the two men remain very close.

As 1920 rolls around, Blackie is having problems with his girlfriend, Elinor (Myrna Loy).  Though she loves him,

 she hates the hoodlums, gambling houses, and graft which fill his life, and she urges him to leave it all behind, which, of course, Blackie has no intention of doing.

One evening, Blackie asks Elinor to meet up with his old friend Jim while he attends to some other business.  Although he promises Elinor he will catch up with her and Jim as soon as possible, Blackie never joins them, leaving Jim and Elinor all to themselves.  Having enjoyed Jim's company, Elinor realizes she does want the kind of life that Blackie will never give her and so breaks off with him; eventually, with Blackie's blessing, she and Jim get married.

As Prosecutor, Jim's job is to clean up the city, and he vows to do so even if it means fighting Blackie and his crowd; therefore, when Blackie is connected to a murder, Jim vows to convict him and see that he gets the death penalty.  Elinor, though, still having a friend's fondness for Blackie and believing that he is innocent, insists that her husband go easy on him.  Will Jim go easy on Blackie?  Will the love and affection he has for his lifelong friend cause him to turn the other cheek as far as the law goes?  Will the ultimatum Elinor has given him cause Jim to go back on his promise to fight corruption?  All these questions play out in the remainder of the film.

(There is alot more to the story, of course, including another murder, a left-behind overcoat, and a possible governorship for Jim; however, I don't want to give away too much by revealing anything more.)

Manhattan Melodrama is an interesting, exciting film, and it makes a great discussion piece.  At one point Myrna Loy's character says to William Powell's, "Do you realize what you are sacrificing for the sake of some principles?"  What a great thought to ponder on...doing right even when it is a sacrifice to do so.

The casting of this film is excellent, as all three stars have great chemistry with one another.  While I have long thought William Powell and Myrna Loy were totally fabulous together, I think both of them have amazing chemistry with Clark Gable in this film.  The three of them, meshing together so perfectly, are definitely what make the film work.  All of them give superb performances; however, for me, the standout performance is Gable's. I think it's one of his very best.  Finally, this film has a few touching moments (for me), and I find myself lightly misty-eyed a few times.  (As an aside...a very young Mickey Rooney portrays Blackie as a boy.)

This must-see film, which I highly recommend, is out on DVD (as part of the William Powell/Myrna Loy Collection), so it should be fairly easy to track down.  I hope you get a chance to see it.

Happy viewing!!