A chance discussion with friend Gillian got me searching YouTube soon as I got home for the film "Angels With Dirty Faces" one of those films you could watch repeatedly because it is a classic. So much has been said regarding its story of two friends whose lives run parallel with each other until one day one of the friends runs faster than the other.
"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 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 Rocky character turns to a life of crime and the latter Jerry 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 had 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. Troubling 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. The climax 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.
Moments before Rocky is due for execution in the electric chair, Father Jerry implores Rocky to die 'yellow' to show the kids that there has been nothing honourable in either his life or his death. A defiant Rocky refuses showing the guard she tough and can take is pending death without fear. Led away to his death he breaks and starts crying and begging for his life. The watching audience know this is not Rocky he is helping is friend Father Jerry and as the Dead End Kids refuses to accept the news headlines “Rocky dies Yellow” Jerry tells them it was true.
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.
My Rating
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