While gangster films grabbed a larger audience during the 1930′s after the invention of the “talkies,” the silent era also provided us with a few incredible motion pictures depicting the world of “organized crime.”
1912 gave us the first real gangster film with D.W. Griffith’s The Musketeers of Pig Alley which told the story of organized crime in the western world. Prior to this full-length feature there were a few one-reel films released as early as 1904-1906. They included, The Moonshiners (1904), Edwin S. Porter’s ADesperate Encounter Between Burglars and Police (1905), and Wallace McCutcheons 1906 documentary of a kidnapping, The Black Hand.
Starring – James Cagney (Dan Quigley), Mae Clarke (Myra Gale), Margaret Lindsey (Lois Underwood), Leslie Fenton (Duke).
Description – Theater usher Dan Quigley has just been fired from his job. With little to offer in the way of job skills he decides to get involved with a life of crime. After getting involved with a group of criminals, Dan realizes that he has a certain knack for this type of business.
It’s only a matter of time before the police begin to close in on him and he takes off for Los Angeles to hide. While in LA, he stumbles into a movie opportunity, and as luck would have it, soon becomes a star.
Back in the old neighborhood, his former criminal pals get word of his success as a movie star and a comedic blackmail plan is hatched.
NOTABLE: James Cagney and Mae Clarke are reunited in this film having starred together in the very successful 1931 gangster classic Public Enemy.
Starring – James Cagney (Chester Kent), Joan Blondell (Nan Prescott), Ruby Keeler (Bea Thorn), Dick Powell (Scott ‘Scotty’ Blair).
Description – Chester Kent’s career as a Broadway musical director has come upon hard times. In an effort to stay afloat, Kent decides to shift his focus to the creation of short, live, musical productions called “prologues.”
These mini-productions are presented in movie theaters before the main feature is shown. As if the pressure of creating the large number of marketable productions that are called for isn’t enough it seems as though someone is stealing his ideas and has some inside help.
Quietly, without Kent even noticing, his secretary Nan is falling in love with him. With a big deal looming, Kent must put together three prologues in order to get the contract. Can he make it in time, and will someone steal the idea before he gets to present it?
NOTABLE: In 1992 Footlight Parade was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
This was the film debut of actress Dorothy Lamour. She, along with Ann Southern, appeared as one of the chorus girls.
Personal Note: This is one of the most enjoyable early sound musicals. A strong finish featuring three spectacular numbers choreographed by the great Busby Berkeley.
May, 1042 – Yankee Doodle Dandy tells the story of a man with many hats. George M. Cohan, composer, dancer, playwright, singer, actor and producer, is brilliantly played by James Cagney. When Cohan decided to sell the rights to his story to Warner Brothers, he insisted Cagney play him. It was the perfect choice.
Cagney’s enthusiastic singing and dancing as the consummate showman begins with Cohan’s family experiences in vaudeville. We see him as part of the Four Cohans, his big break with Peck’s Bad Boy, a long and successful association with producer Sam Harris, continuing right up to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presenting him with a medal for his contributions to the American Musical Theater.
Yankee Doodle Dandy will entertain audiences with its nostalgia and inspire them with its patriotism for many years to come.
Starring – James Cagney (George M. Cohan), Joan Leslie (Mary Cohan), Walter Huston (Jerry Cohan), Richard Whorf (Sam Harris).
Description – A very entertaining story based on the life of renowned musical composer George M. Cohan. This film is packed with wonderful music and stars the perfectly cast James Cagney as the dancing vaudevillian.
Cagney’s dynamic performance highlights the story of Cohan’s life from child-star in his family’s vaudeville act to his entertainment comeback that earned him a medal from the president for his contributions to the United States.
Though somewhat Hollywood-ized, the film takes great care in reproducing the costumes, set design, and dance steps from the original stage presentations.
NOTABLE: The film won three Oscars; Best Actor in a Leading Role (James Cagney), Best Music, Scoring of an Original Picture, and Best Sound Recording. Five other nominations included Best Picture, Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Walter Huston), Best Director (Michael Curtiz), Best Writing Original Story, and Best Film Editing.
In 1993 the film was selected for inclusion in the National Film Registry.
The film is ranked #18 on the list of 100 Years of Musicals by the American Film Institute.
Yankee Doodle Dandy was the first computer-colorized film released be Ted Turner.
Actor James Cagney again played George M. Cohan in the film The Seven Little Foys. Cagney refused to be paid for this film offering his services as a tribute to Eddie Foy.
Actress Jeanne Cagney plays the role of Cohan’s sister and in real-life is the sister of James Cagney. Cagney’s brother William was the Associate Producer for the film.
This was Warner Brothers second highest-grossing film of 1942.
Premiere magazine ranked James Cagney’s performance 6th on its 100 Greatest Performances of All Time.
