Based on the story “The Finger Man” By: Rosalind Keating Shaffer
Cinematography: Tony Gaudio
Editor: George Amy
Cast: James Cagney, Mae Clarke, Margaret Lindsay, Leslie Fenton, Douglas Dumbrille, Russell Hopton, Raymond Hatton, Henry O’Neill
When a movie theater usher is fired, he takes up with criminals and finds himself quite adept at various illegal activities. Eventually though, the police catch up with him, and he runs to hide out in Los Angeles. There he stumbles into the movie business and soon rises to stardom. He has gone straight, but his newfound success arouses the interest of his old criminal associates, who are not above blackmail.
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The films of James Cagney’s work that I see, he is swiftly becoming one of my favorite actors of all time.
As he has a screen presence personality, and tons of range and while this film, is it quite one of his memorable ones. it’s still an interesting entry in his résumé and one can see why he starred in it.
The film is pre-code Hollywood where anything goes.
As the first half definitely works and it’s fun, funny and seems to move quite long at a quick pace that stays charming. Though once the second half of the film starts where he has to relocate and go to Hollywood and we see him work his way up the ladder. In various roles for the studio.
Where this part of the film is where the romance starts, it also allows us to see him in various costumes and roles that come off more comedic, and are truly a time capsule of old Hollywood for those fanatics which shows how they would dress up extras as Native Americans and westerns and the special effects that they would use
It also allows us for a good part of the film to see James Cagney with a hideous thin mustache. Now once his life has seemed to have settled his old cronies and business partners from his passing to hunt him down and find him and while this should be thrilling this is actually What brings the film down as it’s not as fun or inventive as the rest of the film and really makes the film dragged towards the end and this film is under 90 minutes already
One quality that is notable is the viciousness in which he treats one of his old female compatriots and seemingly ex lover when he throws her out he’s just so outrageously violent towards her that it almost feels comical, which seems to be what the film is going for but watching it it feels over-the-top and cruel, no matter what happened in their past. I’m talking Tyler Perry melodramatic over the top.
The film is a crime keeper comedy and does whisk along rather quick, but truly James Cagney is the only reason to watch this film. He is the star and truly is one in this film. While the rest of the cast is good enough but not all that memorable
James Cagney said in interviews it’s not one of his finest. In fact, I had never heard of it until it came up on a streaming service and decided to give it a chance.
So for this one I say watch at your own risk, but if you’re a James Cagney fan, I think it’s enjoyable
Written By: Kubec Glasmon, John Bright, Lucien Hubbard and Joseph Jackson
Cinematography: Robert Kwirle
Editor: Jack Killifer
Cast: Edward G. Robinson, James Cagney, Evalyn Knapp, Ralf Harolde, Noel Francis, Margaret Livingston, Maurice Black, Billy House
Nick Venizelos, an immigrant Greek barber, has an uncommon affinity for poker and other sorts of wagering and a group of his friends bankroll him in a big game, where his weakness for pretty blondes is taken advantage of by sleazy operator Sleepy Sam who cleans him out in a rigged game. Nick accepts help from his buddy Jack as they turn the tables on the grifters, but triumph soon changes to tragedy.
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Recently have been watching many 1930’s films. Which is where one came across this one.
Though Watched this with extra enthusiasm because it starred two of my favorite classic actors On the big screen together for one of the few times In Their careers. James Cagney and Edward G. Robinson. Though Cagney has the smaller supporting role.
They both seem to have their big screen personas and attitudes but not as graphically or as much here yet
Thought the film would be more of a comedy and not quite so serious.
This film made me really feel something, especially for the main character. He stayed identifiable throughout
The film is defitnely older and of it’s time period as it’s treatment of women and black characters are definitely old fashioned and in bad taste. As it is a pre-code film that is a representation of its times and politics.
The film might not be the best considering the talent involved. Though it does tell its story swiftly and engagingly as it gets to the point.
Cast: James Cagney, Olivia De Havilland, Rita Hayworth, Alan Hale, Jack Larson, George Tobias, Una O’Connor, George Reeves, Lucile Fairbanks, Edward McNamara, Helen Lynd
Biff Grimes is crazy about Virginia Brush, but his “pal” Hugo Barnstead marries her himself and makes Biff the fall guy for his shady dealings. Though Hugo seems to have everything Biff wants, Biff learns that having what one wants and wanting what one has can be two very different things.
One of the reasons why I love this film so much is I have never heard about this film before. Now while I am a film fan I can admit to having blind spots especially when it come to older black and white movies which to me are considered classics at times because of the time period in which they were made. A peek into a bygone era . Where certain roles were set up and portrayed but even back then knew that everyone was more than what they were told to play and more savvy than they let on.
This is truly the first James Cagney starring movie I have ever seen so while I have seen him in other films in smaller roles and heard about him. This is my first experience with him where I can see the talent and charms all on display. Even in playing someone not necessarily all that smart but watching him start to get the point and realize what and who is best for him.
It’s also fun discovering a film that was out there and many never mention that is practically an undiscovered gem. As it’s a film that while you can beleive the dramatic and romantic moments. It feels like everyone is having fun in and with their roles and one another. It’s heartfelt and entertaining. It’s a show but you take it with you once it’s done. Even though you know It’s not necessarily close to reality.
Part of this film’s charms is that it’s not a big story with high steaks, but more a character comedy that is charming and it’s own right Word not only the star shines, but the supporting characters help.
As the film is about romance and love, and what truly matters in it, so it is full, and we see its nurturing grace, with a note of the next stage, and never or rarely being disguised.
This was one of my first James Cagney films, and definitely my first James Cagney comedy, though not one of his more famous titles or not considered a classic amongst his other films. So far, it is one of my favorites of his, and truly shows he was a star who seemed to be able to do it all saying, dance act, he could be a hero or he could be a villain and quite scary.
This is only the third film of James Cagney that I have seen. I think I appreciate it because it’s not as talked about as his other films.
His performance, here is more as a romantic, and a man, with a quick temper, who threw out, seems to be taken advantage of by those around him yet never let his anger out on them but directed at Phantom threats and challenges whose ultimate goal is to become a dentist.
The way he plays it is genuinely his own as in most of his comedic performances it’s fast and he seems to get so worked up over nothing that the performance is grand, and half of it is watching his history as he gets himself more and more worked up, but gracefully, he also comes down or how much trouble his anger and fast-talking gets him into.
As he is such a force of nature that it seems like the film and characters, more or less revolve around him, and react only in this film, they all get their time to shine, even while he is huffing and puffing.
As the one person who truly does care for him, and looks out for him, he is oblivious to Eventually he wakes up and opens his eyes as he realizes what he has, or what he could lose.
The best thing for him was not getting what he wanted, as it also showed him what was important, which seemed to be the moral of the story.
The film has an earnest story and it’s quite simple but gets so much mileage out of it that it’s no shock that it’s the James Cagney of his films and the Director of the film Raoul Walsh also says it’s his favorite that he made.
The intentional comedy of his character being a hothead, yet always losing fights until it truly matters is a quality the film seems to try to introduce subtly. This also showcases that his character is not that smart, but is good with quips. Is that the character who ultimately is the villain of the story? Did his actions seem intentional, but always seem to take advantage of Cagney’s character or lead his character to ruin.
This also leads to one of the few problems of the film is that his other friend played by Jack Larson, is not that good-looking nor charismatic, So it’s hard to believe him as his rival as the only thing that he seems to have over Cagney is maybe a certain smoothness, which I guess is what works as it is obvious and is really the defining point of his character.
Later, it seems like he envies his friend’s life but eventually can see why it’s best. He didn’t get the girl and had the fate of his friend.
Rita Hayworth’s character is a gold digger but has a soft spot for James Cagney which is romantic, but troublesome as she is the one who has her husband get him a job that proves to be his undoing.
There is even a chance that the romance between him and Hayworth could have worked, but and wouldn’t have been ideal or true. She ultimately buries herself and her chances later in the film. She shows all the things in her character that his character doesn’t like in a woman, yet is more ravishing in her lead scenes physically, though always shows why her character and Cagneys could work especially early in the film when they go on a forced date.
James Cagney and Olivia de Havilland’s chemistry is not the flashes they have so much chemistry and Rita Hayworth is truly his even in comedic scenes with her talking about her ideals and her strange flirtation with some Lothario (Played by Herbert Anderson, who played the father on the show DENNIS THE MENACE) who keeps winking and she can’t help winking at them with Chelsea her character is looking for love and excitement and is just as open to making the wrong decisions.
Though it’s hard to believe that she’s so passive when finding out we’re figuring out that her married friend Rita, Hayworth kissed James Cagney and the lights-out spaghetti scene.
It’s one of those stories where one finds the perfect partner with someone they weren’t really looking at or for and that other person falls for them anyway. Despite knowing they are a runner up. Though making their way to truly being number 1
Cagney’s character played by Alan Hale, is hilarious steals all of his scenes, and proves to have great chemistry with the star. As well as George Tobias, who plays his Greek friend, and who ends up being his only true friend, they are both hilarious.
The film’s more comedic scenes aren’t as physical but more verbal and witty. It is even lensed by legendary (not at the time) cinematographer James Wong Howe (THE THIN MAN, SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS)
It’s a comedy with dramatic moments, but a heart for romance.
Based on the play “Egy, Ketto, Harom” By: Ferenc Molnar
Cinematography: Daniel L. Fapp
Editor: Daniel Mendell
Cast: James Cagney, Horst Buchholz, Pamela Tiffin, Arlene Francis, Lilo Pulver, Howard St. John, Hanns Lothar, Leon Askin, Ralf Wolter, Karl Lieffen
C.R. “Mac” MacNamara is a high-ranking executive in the Coca-Cola company, assigned to the corporate office located in West Berlin. Mac’s dream are to climb the corporate ladder in the company to eventually become the head of Western European Coca-Cola Operations. One day, Mac receives a call from his boss, W.P. Hazeltine, to look after his 17-year-old socialite daughter, who is coming to West Berlin, while he is on a trip. Soon enough, Mac finds himself in the undesirable circumstances of trying to take care of this young whirlwind and manage all of the problems she causes.
The movie escaped me for many years as I missed seeing it and a recent Billy Wilder perspective at my local repertory theater. So finally getting to see this late Wilder movie was bittersweet even though I still have yet to see it on the big screen.
It’s a little more political than I expected. This film is still a joy only for the chaos that seems to be happening from the beginning to a comedic blizzard throughout. James Cagney’s character is the ringmaster. Who tries to keep it together and contained and usually bleeds into something else that causes another set of problems.
As there are contained scenes that are filled with farce and all kinds of comedy from slapstick to physical to wordplay. That involves ridiculous characters who seem over the top but become endearing.
As James Cagney’s character is trying to get a promotion wishes as well seem to be a crumbling marriage, a dysfunctional family, a mistress who is his secretary, and other foreign dignitaries. All at once and once he has to babysit your boss’s daughter, and she sneaks out because of all sorts of problems he has to clean them up, especially when his boss decides to make a surprise visit.
What are the interesting aspects that in all the people he tries to help even if it’s for selfish reasons. They always seem to battle against him even when it is for their own best interest.
It truly is a film of its time. Wilder has never shied away from more of the controversial subjects and is maybe a bit bawdy. As well, it seems quaint. Now I can only imagine at the time this film, caused a mini uproar over the decision and the behavior of some of its characters.
At certain points, it does get a little bit too silly for its own good especially when it comes to the character of Otto. Cool comes off as more annoying and might’ve inspired Archie Bunker and Meathead a bit over a decade later on the sitcom ALL IN THE FAMILY.
For me, the film is a laugh right as you’re just amazed that how much can go wrong and still work out not to mention how much how many plates can be spinning all at once in a scene and they may fall nothing ever seems to break and that is a perfect way to describe this film. There is so much going on, but you can easily follow it and it never truly lets you down.
It’s a shame that Cagney did not enjoy making this film, so much that he retired from acting after being in this movie and didn’t make another acting appearance until RAGTIME. which was his last role. It feels like we lost more performances From the man. Who is in top form here.
The film is fast-paced, and while there are all kinds of lunacy going on, if it were not for James Cagney‘s character being the ringmaster and handling all these disasters and trying to find an answer while putting out all these fires, the film truly would be lost.
Cut To The Chase 