Angels with Dirty Faces (1938)

I love this movie so much

recommended

I'll tell you why so serious

Great visuals, story delivers no surprises

I love the fact we can share our love or distaste of a film to forewarn or encourage a viewing. This film i will be encouraging all to see, this film is in my all time list of greatest films to see, yes i have many in this category but i do watch a lot. back in the 70s and 80s not many films were put out on Terrestrial TV apart from many black and white Film Noir movies or westerns. this film i watched many times back then and i am reviving my love of them and why not. this film has three of the best actors there was back then, James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart and Pat O Brian. it has a relatively small cast but it makes it and keeps you entertained fully. The story is about a tough guy (cagney) who is looked upon by the local young hoodlums as a star. Pat O Brian plays his old school chum buddy who has become a priest and trying to keep the young lads in the area on the straight and narrow. Bogart plays the classic double crosser and well what you see is a classic film well shot, acted and keeps you hooked start to finish, you cant go wrong in this film.

" . . . give it to you slow and easy, wise guy," a sadistic prison guard tells James Cagney moments before he's "fried" in ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES. This film shows why all American executions MUST be televised live. If they're not, these violent incidents are no better than backwoods lynchings, subject to whatever lies and agendas the "witnesses" and "authorities" care to tell. (And just because they're on live TV doesn't mean that YOU or your kids HAVE to view every one; after the novelty wears off, many Americans may see only 10 or 20 a year, when there's nothing else on that's good.) The state of Oklahoma already has gone ANGELS one better, stretching death by lethal injection out pretty near two hours. Even the slowest electrocutions, such as Ethel Rosenberg's smoking head during her 1953 TRIPLE jolting or the very first, when Thomas Edison filmed himself ELECTROCUTING AN ELEPHANT (1903), as the beloved Topsy literally burned alive at the end of a chain, leave little room for ads. Snuffing, Oklahoma style, can accommodate BOTH the beer ads and new car campaigns, as well as local spots. Then we will be spared shenanigans like the plot hatched up by Cagney's priest, Father Jerry, to politicize American executions.

This is one of the greatest movies from the 1930 decade, yet it doesn't seem to be all that remembered, which is a shame.Practically the whole movie is deeply involving. The film is well- made, the plot is solid, the image quality is 5 stars (without the "scratches" typical of most movies from that generation) and the cast is brilliant. We have, for example, the fabulous Dead End Kids and the great Humphrey Bogart, but it's James Cagney who really shines as "Rocky" Sullivan. "Rocky" is a very intense character and even though he is a gangster, somehow he is likable. James Cagney shines in an absolutely peerless performance. His face was very memorable too, as were his facial expressions and his fiery voice. Unmistakenly one of the all-time great actors, with a talent and charisma comparable to Peter Lorre and Vincent Price, for example.This movie has many surprises as well. One of them is the fact that the actor who played "Rocky" as a boy looks exactly like James Cagney. When "Rocky" grew up, I thought it was the same actor playing him from the start, because adult "Rocky" looked exactly the same as himself as a kid. By the way, the kids who play "Rocky" and Jerry as kids have terrific performances either.My absolute favorite part of this gr8 gangster-movie is the sequence in which "Rocky" is stuck in a building surrounded by the police and attempting to resist the toxic gases which are asphyxiating him, and how, despite his pride and efforts to resist, he realizes he won't get away so easy this time. The funniest scene, whoever, is when Ann Sheridan finally gets even with "Rocky" after 15 years by yanking his hat down over his ears and slapping him and then he sits down on that old bed and it collapses! So hilarious!The ending is unexpected because the penalty for "Rocky" is to get cooked in the "Old Sparky". Whether his cries are genuine or only to fulfill Father Jerry's final wish is unspecific, although I'd believe that they are genuine. I do feel bad for "Rocky", though. That penalty was too terrible for him and over the top for his crimes. What made me discover this movie was 'Home Alone' because of the movie that Kevin watches, 'Angels with filthy souls'. Until very little time ago I thought that the movie he was watching was real, but I found out that it was fictional and that those scenes were only made for 'Home Alone'. What a pity, I always wanted to see that movie. But I also found out that it was a parody to a real movie called 'Angels with dirty faces'. That was what took me to this great movie. But, much to my disappointment, there aren't such lines as «Keep the change, ya filthy animal!». I was expecting some line like that in the whole movie and I was very disappointed that there isn't any. Having that said, I don't like the movie any less for that.Title in Portugal: 'Anjos de cara negra'.

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.