Angels with Dirty Faces

Angels with Dirty Faces is a classic American film directed by Michael Curtiz, starring James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, Humphrey Bogart, and Ann Sheridan. The movie was released in 1938 by Warner Bros. and was based on a story by Rowland Brown. The film's screenplay was written by John Wexley and Warren Duff, with Max Steiner composing the music. The cinematography was handled by Sol Polito, who had previously worked on films like The Adventures of Robin Hood and Captain Blood.

Plot

The plot of Angels with Dirty Faces revolves around the lives of two childhood friends, Rocky Sullivan and Jerry Connelly, played by James Cagney and Pat O'Brien, respectively. The story takes place in New York City's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, where the two friends grow up together, getting into various scrapes and adventures. As they grow older, Rocky Sullivan becomes involved with a gangster, Mac Keefer, played by George Bancroft, while Jerry Connelly becomes a Catholic priest. The film explores the complexities of their friendship and the moral dilemmas they face, with Rocky Sullivan eventually becoming a gangster and Jerry Connelly trying to reform him. The movie also features Humphrey Bogart as James Frazier, a lawyer who becomes embroiled in Rocky Sullivan's gangster activities, and Ann Sheridan as Laury Ferguson, a woman who becomes involved with Rocky Sullivan.

Production

The production of Angels with Dirty Faces was handled by Samuel Bischoff, with Hal B. Wallis serving as the executive producer. The film was shot on location in New York City and at the Warner Bros. studios in Burbank, California. The movie's sets were designed by Robert Haas, who had previously worked on films like The Life of Emile Zola and The Old Maid. The film's editing was handled by Owen Marks, who had worked on films like The Petrified Forest and Marked Woman. The movie's music was composed by Max Steiner, who had previously worked on films like King Kong and Little Women.

Cast

The cast of Angels with Dirty Faces includes James Cagney as Rocky Sullivan, Pat O'Brien as Jerry Connelly, Humphrey Bogart as James Frazier, and Ann Sheridan as Laury Ferguson. The film also features George Bancroft as Mac Keefer, Billy Halop as Soapy, and Bobby Jordan as Swing. The cast includes a number of notable actors from the Warner Bros. stable, including Frankie Burke and Leo Gorcey. The film's cast also includes Gabriel Dell and Huntz Hall, who would go on to appear in a number of films together, including The Dead End Kids series.

Reception

The reception of Angels with Dirty Faces was largely positive, with the film receiving critical acclaim from reviewers like Frank S. Nugent of The New York Times and Variety. The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $1 million at the box office. The movie's success can be attributed to the strong performances of the cast, particularly James Cagney and Pat O'Brien, as well as the direction of Michael Curtiz. The film's cinematography, handled by Sol Polito, was also praised by critics, with The Hollywood Reporter noting that the film's visuals were "outstanding".

Themes

The themes of Angels with Dirty Faces include the complexities of friendship and the moral dilemmas faced by the characters. The film explores the idea of redemption, with Jerry Connelly trying to reform Rocky Sullivan and help him escape his life of crime. The movie also touches on the theme of social class, with Rocky Sullivan and Jerry Connelly coming from different backgrounds and facing different challenges. The film's portrayal of gangster life and the Catholic Church was also notable, with the movie featuring a number of scenes depicting the characters' interactions with priests and nuns. The film's themes are reminiscent of other classic American films, such as The Public Enemy and Little Caesar.

Legacy

The legacy of Angels with Dirty Faces is significant, with the film being recognized as a classic of American cinema. The movie has been selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress and has been named as one of the greatest films of all time by Entertainment Weekly and The Guardian. The film's influence can be seen in a number of other movies, including The Godfather and Goodfellas, which also explore the themes of gangster life and redemption. The movie's cast, including James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart, went on to become major stars of Hollywood, appearing in a number of classic films throughout their careers, including Casablanca and White Heat. Category:American films