Thanks for the memories!

Sorry, this movie sucks

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

"Angels With Dirty Faces" is one of those films which is worth seeing many times. So much has been said regarding its story of two people whose lives run slightly parallel with each other. The screenplay is one of the best ever written and could resemble real life and every day, ordinary people. It was one of the first films James Cagney made after he returned to the studio, following his lawsuit with Jack Warner. The above film and others from this period, gave Cagney the ideal opportunity to show what he was made of as an actor. "Angels With Dirty Faces" is not a typical gangster film. The narrative is a drama and a human interest story. It touches upon the struggles of those who are from the wrong side of the tracks and how they still survive. Two characters Rocky Sullivan and Jerry Connelly (James Cagney and Pat O' Brien) choose their own path in life after a confrontation with the law at the beginning of the film. The former character turns to a life of crime and the latter becomes ordained as a priest. Many years later, the two of them are re-united. A street gang from the same poor neighbourhood (the Dead End Kids) become acquainted with Sullivan and they begin to idolise him for his being a gangster. Father Connelly is gravely concerned about the kids running the risk of following in the footsteps of the gangster and swears to do everything in his power to prevent this. In addition, the priest manages to secure the full support of a major newspaper in exposing all the corruption and crime that has overtaken the city. Sullivan has not long been released from prison and has an agreement with a shady lawyer, James Frazer (Humphrey Bogart) about collecting his fair share of some profits from their criminal activities. Trouble is, Frazer plans to double cross Sullivan by leaving him out of the organisation. Attempts at silencing Sullivan fail. It comes down to a confrontation between the two of them before a gunfight ensues. It is the climax that seems to provoke the most discussion amongst the fans. James Cagney himself stated that he deliberately left his final scene to be a bit ambiguous so that the public would make up their own minds about the scene's significance. The acting from Cagney and O' Brien is amongst their best. They are given fully developed characters to play and they meet the challenge easily. For leading lady Ann Sheridan, "Angels With Dirty Faces" shall stand as one of her definitive film appearances. She was playing a more substantial role here, rather than just being an "Oomph Girl." Humphrey Bogart landed a good role as the corrupt lawyer for the mob and gives a good performance. The film was the first out of three collaborations between Cagney and Bogart. I believe they could have made more films together. Michael Curtiz was in his element when he directed "Angels With Dirty Faces." The way he uses shadows and low lighting helps to create a thought-provoking and imaginative movie. The final words spoken by Father Connolly at the end says a lot for the film: "Let's say a prayer for the boy who couldn't run as fast as I could." Hollywood films were seldom as good as this one.

ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES has something different to distinguish it from the other gangster flicks starring James Cagney: the emphasis of this film is on a gang of feral youths he befriends (played by the 'Dead End Kinds) rather than he himself. So we still get the meteoric rise to fame and eventual downfall, but the narrative is slightly skewed so that a gang of innocents are the central focus.Inevitably, this is a film that still belongs to Cagney, who invests it with his typical energy and dynamism. Humphrey Bogart takes a minor supporting role but it's left to Pat O'Brien to bag the film's most challenging role, that of a former criminal turned priest. ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES has plenty of drama, action, and suspense to recommend it, and the tragic climax hits all the right chords.

In my mind, there is no title more apt for this film than "Angels with Dirty Faces." Every person has a little bit of good in them; they just might not display it until the time arises. We also do a lot of fun and daring things growing up. We learn from them and move forward, and this movie beautifully depicts how people with similar childhoods can diverge to live such different lives. This movie truly demonstrates how important both our experiences and upbringing are in moulding our futures. Ruffians initially, people can become saintly priests or remain criminals. Despite their different paths, though, it is important to note people do not simply forget their pasts. The relationships we make throughout our lives do not simply diminish as time progresses; instead, we learn to value and cherish what we once had. The world needs good people. To help with the injustices happening today and to nurture the next generations. Throughout Angels with Dirty Faces, we see a priest working tirelessly and honestly to support local youths, trying to ensure they learn proper morals and respect the world they live in. This movie shows a man fighting the good fight despite the world turning against him, and when his troublesome friend arrives, plans take a turn.Watching this movie is a truly humbling experience. It's always nice to remember that there are good people out there who are willing to work and take the extra mile for humanity. Even the people you'd least expect can surprise you in the most dire situation.

The story here is that Cagney is the gangster 'star' of the East Side, with a group of young hoodlums looking up to him, the same as movie-going kids who'd come to see the film. His priest friend from the old days wants him to help him put the kids on the right track. We know that he's basically a stand-up guy, a good soul, partly corrupted by the 'system'. In the end he agrees to die 'yellow', tarnishing his reputation so the kids will renounce gangster heroism.That's it in a nutshell. It isn't a bad movie, it's just that the study is so screamingly obvious, full of catechism aimed at us and reducing us to childlike goofs who know no better. It's nice enough at the start, the East Side world it portrays is thick. But it becomes such a thin message movie in the second half. Just not worth the time.Cagney though is magnetic as usual, a terrific guy. He could sing, tap dance, seduce; later on he was a judo blackbelt. Watch him slap Bogart around, here playing the mousey lawyer villain. It's clear there's no comparing them. Cagney was the real deal and this is all about his presence. How on earth did they think they could pull off that message with Cagney?