chuck-reilly "Angels with Dirty Faces" (1938) is a classic Warner Brothers "morality" film from the 1930s that has a heavy-handed message that's banged over the heads of all viewers. That is, CRIME DOESN'T PAY. Case in point: James Cagney's character Rocky Sullivan. He goes astray at a young age and ends up a well-known gangster who returns to his old neighborhood to further his racketeering career. Standing in his way is his childhood friend, Father Jerry Connelly (Pat O'Brien at his sympathetic best). But when we examine their relationship closely, we realize that Rocky earlier had helped Jerry escape the police and then took the fall for him. In other words, Rocky is directly responsible for sending Jerry on the "straight and narrow' path, and inadvertently sending himself down a much darker road. Meanwhile, Rocky has to deal with lowlifes like his crooked lawyer and accomplice, Frazier (Humphrey Bogart in extreme sleaze-mode). Rounding out the cast of characters are the Dead End Kids including Billy Halop, Bobby Jordan, Huntz Hall and Leo Gorcey, as well as "Oomph Girl" Anne Sheridan thrown in as a love interest for Rocky. There's also plenty of unintentional humor tossed into this finely crafted film. You'll never look at a basketball game the same way after you watch the Dead End Kids take the court. In the end, Rocky once again saves Father Jerry from being rubbed out, this time by Frazier and his gang. So what does Rocky get for his good deed? He get an undeserved death sentence for knocking off Frazier and a few of his gang members. The dim-witted Connolly never figures out that it's been Rocky who's been saving his ass all these years. On the night of his execution, Father Jerry proposes to Rocky that he act like a coward when they drag him to the electric chair so the Dead End Kids won't idolize him. "It's about courage that only you, me and God will ever know," he explains in hallowed terms to Rocky. So after all he's done for this sap, now Rocky hears that he has to act like a sniveling coward in his final moments to satisfy the good Father. Of course, Rocky initially refuses him, but on the way to the execution chamber, Rocky starts crying like a baby. Father Connelly looks up to heaven as if to praise the Lord for this startling and unexpected turn of events. So the question to viewers over the years has always been this: was Rocky really a coward, or did he fake it to ensure that the Dead End Kids didn't idolize him anymore? The last scene in the film shows the Kids reading the screaming headline "Sullivan Dies a Coward!" and in total shock to learn that Rocky went out crying like a baby. They walk away stunned with Father Connolly and follow him to church like good little "Angels." The true answer: Rocky was no coward because Jimmy Cagney doesn't play cowards. End of story.

Kirpianuscus a religious film. for the theme and the touching end. one of the memorable roles of James Cagney. precise social and political portrait. short, one of films who remains a significant experience for its viewer. because it reminds small ordinary truths in the right manner. because it preserves the aura of a period from history of cinema. because its simplicity is convincing and touching. for the great performances who, at the first sigh, are only reflection of the each actor to perform the specific role. but this is a virtue in this case and the key of the special beauty of film. the savage scene of the basketball game is one of the most impressive. like the manner to use the money by the boys. "Angels with Dirty Faces" is , in obvious manner, a classic. but this is only a label. because its force is to reflect, in great and almost unique style a state of soul.

Leofwine_draca 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.

pcrprimer I didn't know much about this movie when I watched this. I had heard of the Humphrey Bogart, but not James Cagney. Although the movie was made in the 30s, the plot is something that could be of a movie that was just released in the 80s, 90s, or now. This is truly Cagney's movie, and he steals every scene that he's in. As a viewer, you can't help but cheer for him. I feel that his main love interest isn't really fleshed out. We learn that she comes from a troubled past, but not much more. A few scenes that stand out are the pharmacy assassination attempt, and obviously the well-known scene where the priest asks something of Rocky that he doesn't want to give.