Classic Revival: ‘Angels With Dirty Faces’ (1938)

Angels With Dirty Faces ends up being a tale of redemption through the sacrifice of one’s selfish ego to benefit a greater good. While the execution of this moral conclusion may seem dated by today’s standards, the story leading up to the ending is still very much enjoyable. Director Michael Curtiz made this film with a trio of fine actors, still not fully appreciated in their craft. James Cagney plays Rocky Sullivan, a kid who gets a bad break and spends a chunk of his young years living the life of a penned-up criminal. His friend Jerry, played by Pat O’Brien, managed to skirt the cops after the two fled from the authorities. Rocky slipped up and was caught, getting himself tossed in and out of the slammer.

Years pass, and Rocky finally gets his discharge from prison and pays a visit to his old pal Jerry, who’s taken a different path as a man of the cloth. Jerry has high hopes for Rocky, believing at first that Rocky is a changed man. Meanwhile, Rocky is tying up loose ends with Frazier, played by Humphrey Bogart, his lawyer and former partner in crime. As it turns out, Frazier’s got a different idea of how to deal with Rocky’s return. Here begins a twisting chain of events, as Rocky continually outsmarts both his rival cons and thugs as well as the authorities, regaining control over the city.

After Rocky makes friends with a group of young hoodlum boys, Jerry begins to fear Rocky will have too strong of an influence on the boys. He decides to take matters into his own hands by publicly exposing the corruption at the hands of Rocky Sullivan. The crooks want to take Jerry out, but this is one friendship Rocky will not break. After taking care of his own dissenters, Rocky attempts to flea once more, but is caught and now is sentenced to die for his crimes. Jerry’s final, and most important favor of Rocky, is that he lay down his ego and show fear and cowardice in the face of death, as to tarnish the boys’ heroic image of Rocky as a fearless criminal icon.

I am still amazed by the natural acting instincts and versatility of James Cagney when I see his films. At times, it feels as though he’s a greatly under-appreciated actor. The cinematography of this era is always a favorite element of mine, when done well. I think part of the appeal for me is that its a look into a past era that’s real. Its not re-manufactured, because it took place in that era and what you see is what there was. Some will claim this as a favorite Bogart film, but I give the credit to Cagney. Bogart was fine, but it just wasn’t his show. If you get an opportunity, rent the official Warner Bros. DVD. There is a great special feature option that allows you to watch the film in its original presentation, led by a newsreel, a musical short, a Porky and Daffy cartoon short and a theatrical trailer. The DVD also includes an introduction by film critic Leonard Maltin and an audio commentary by film historian Dana Polan.