ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES

ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES - 1938

RATED - NR but probably PG for some non-graphic gangster shooting and violence.

RATINGS - 22 Amazon (4/5), 5,017 IMBD (7.9/10), 25,504 Netflix (3.9/5).

STARRING - James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, Humphrey Bogart & The Dead End Kids.

AWARDS - 3 Academy Award nominations including BEST ACTOR (Cagney)

THEMES - Forgiveness, faith, the brotherhood of gangs, consequences of crime & sin.

STORY - "What do ya hear? What do ya say?" The words of greeting by Rocky Sullivan (Cagney) to everyone he meets. Is there anyone with more self confidence combined with an endearing smile than Cagney. He must have driven his teachers crazy growing up. The movie starts with scenes of Rocky and Jerry Connolly (O'Brien) growing up in a tough part of town. Both are prone to get into trouble and eventually Rocky (who can't run as fast as Jerry) gets caught and ends up in reform school, where he only gets better (at being a criminal) and leads to more crime and longer stints in various prisons where he continues to hone his criminal skills. Jerry, meanwhile, has become a Catholic priest and is serving the parish in his old neighborhood. Rocky looks up Jerry after getting released for the 4th or 5th time, not because he has any intentions of going straight, but he wants to take over the organized crime in that neighborhood, which he believes is owed him by Humphrey Bogart, the head of crime in the city. Bogart doesn't see it that way and doesn't want any partners so he tries to eliminate Rocky. Rocky, meanwhile, has become the Pied Piper for a gang of kids (The Dead End Kids) that Father Jerry is trying to lead down the straight & narrow. The battle is on for the lives and souls of these young men. Can Rocky take over the crime in the 'hood'. Can Father Jerry win back the love & loyalty of these kids from the charismatic Rocky? A terrific story that leads up to one of the most poignant endings in any movie. Did Rocky end up a coward or a hero? People have been pondering that question since 1938. 'What do ya hear? What do ya say?" You decide. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 12/8/2007.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMBD