Category Archives: Gangster
Tight Spot (1955)
“Whenever I deal with something dirty, I always get a little soiled.” Tight Spot AKA Dead Pigeon is a little known but surprisingly good crime film, loaded with excellent performances, strong dialogue, and a very tight script. If you’re a … Continue reading
Brother (1997)
“What’s good for the Russian is death for the German.” The late Sergei Bodrov Jr. stars in the gripping Russian gangster film Brother (Brat). And don’t let the title fool you–there’s no filial affection here between the two brothers, Danila … Continue reading
Party Girl (1958)
“When you sell your pride, it’s tough to put a price on it.” In 1930s Chicago, Vicki Gaye (Cyd Charisse) is a showgirl at the Golden Rooster nightclub when gangster Louis Canetto (John Ireland) offers her $100 to attend a … Continue reading
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A Slight Case of Murder (1938)
“I was much better when I was illegitimate.” A Slight Case of Murder is a very funny and affectionate treatment of post-prohibition gangster life. When prohibition is repealed, bootlegger and gang boss Remy Marco (Edward G. Robinson) decides to go … Continue reading
Dillinger (1945)
The film Dillinger charts the rise and fall of notorious gangster John Dillinger. The story presented distills his elaborate career, but some of the salient details are included. Dillinger’s involvement with Baby Face Nelson, for example, is not mentioned once, … Continue reading
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The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (1967)
“Only Capone kills like that.” The film, The St Valentine’s Day Massacre is a docudrama–with heavy use of narration similar in style to the television series The Untouchables. This lends an aura of authenticy to the tale of rival gangsters … Continue reading
Filed under Gangster
Brother Orchid (1940)
“Yeah, I know all about probation.” Johnny Sarto (Edward G. Robinson) decides to retire to Europe and get some “class.” He leaves behind his loyal girlfriend, Flo Addams (Ann Sothern) and hands his gangster business over to his second-in-command, Jack … Continue reading
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Scarface (1932)
“They’ll be shooting each other like rabbits.” Scarface charts the rise and fall of career gangster Tony Camonte (Paul Muni). The story includes several incidents from the life of Al Capone (The St Valentine’s Day Massacre, for example), but the … Continue reading
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Little Caesar (1931)
“You can’t go back on a gang.” Little Caesar is the 1930 gangster film starring Edward G. Robinson as thug Caesar Enrico “Rico” Bandello. The film was made during the prohibition era and it’s generally agreed that Little Caesar was … Continue reading
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The Gangster (1947)
“I wasn’t rotten enough.” Gangster Shubunka (Barry Sullivan) has a long scar on his left cheek and a huge chip on his shoulder. He’s lied, cheated, and killed on his violent way to the top, and now runs a lucrative … Continue reading
Filed under Gangster
