Now that October is over, I can breathe a little easier. Until I’ll have to do this horror month all over again next year. But let’s talk about this week’s theme, which actually ended up being an easier one. Which is surprising, because I don’t necessarily watch a lot of movies about gangsters.
1. LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS (1998)
Little less known gem from Guy Ritchie’s youth that put Jason Statham and Vinnie Jones on the map. And though I prefer to call Snatch. my favourite, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels is a nice introduction to Ritchie’s cinematography. Oh, and it has hard gangsters, which is why I’m recommending it this week!
2. THE GODFATHER (1972)
Look at me, mentioning the classics casually as if I know what I’m talking about. But honestly though, I’ve only seen the first film of the trilogy and I’m ashamed. Then again, I’ve at least seen the first and I can honestly tell, it’s a really good gangster film! Like.. really good, right?!
3. GOODFELLAS (1990)
This one I saw just recently thanks to the Blindspot challenge I’m taking part of this year! And since it’s quite fresh in my mind, I have to say, I liked it a lot. It had all the right elements of a gangster movie, and it had great performances through and through. It’s hard to go wrong with Goodfellas, when you’re in the mood for some gangsters.
THIS SERIES IS CREATED BY WANDERING THROUGH THE SHELVES
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I’ve seen all three and The Godfather is the best by far though Lock, Stock was an entertaining film. I wanted to like Goodfellas but I just couldn’t embrace as most other people do. As far as the other Godfather movies go the second one is an essential equal to the first but the final one while not a disaster is a disappointment.
I’m a big fan of gangster films but there are so many I went with one of the ultimate gangster stars-James Cagney-to narrow down the choices.
The Public Enemy (1931)-Tom Powers (Cagney-in the role that made him a major star) is a small-time hood, vicious and consciousless who climbs to success on the back of Prohibition and his willingness to do whatever necessary-rob, maim, kill-to gain advantage. The film chronicles that rise, and fall, as well as his entanglement with two women Gwen (Jean Harlow, this was one of her earliest appearances, don’t judge her on it-she’s awful-look to her MGM comedies where she’s great) and Kitty (Mae Clarke) who famously receives a grapefruit in her kisser when she mouths off to Cagney. This William Wellman directed picture is one of the formative films in creating the gangster drama.
The Roaring Twenties (1939)-Eddie Bartlett (Cagney), George Hally (Humphrey Bogart) and Lloyd Hart (Jeffrey Lynn) strike up a friendship in a foxhole during WWI. Once back in the States they go their separate ways but eventually circumstances bring them back together in the bootlegging business where they find enormous success until jealousies, rivalries and the stock market crash brings it all tumbling down. One of the last great gangster films of the 30’s with a fantastic cast including Priscilla Lane and a scene stealing Gladys George as the lovelorn songbird Panama Smith who delivers the film’s iconic last line.
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (1950)-Amoral gangster Ralph Cotter (Cagney) breaks out of prison along with fellow prisoner Carleton (Neville Brand). When Carlton is injured Cotter murders him to speed his escape and jumps right back into crime blackmailing Carleton’s sister Holiday (Barbara Payton) into a relationship to conceal her part in aiding their jailbreak. Discovering graft Cotter pressures a couple of crooked cops (Barton MacLane and Ward Bond) and an equally corrupt lawyer (Luther Adler) into a scheme to bilk heiress Margaret Dobson (Helena Carter) out of a fortune. Things do not go as planned. This was the highpoint of leading lady Barbara Payton’s career. A beautiful if somewhat hard looking blonde at this time she was considered a rising star but after a scandal plagued and notorious career she fell as far as it’s possible to go ending up a drug addicted skid row hooker (once being mistaken for a pile of garbage after being left next to a dumpster following a beating) before her death from organ failure at 39.
I think I liked Goodfellas more than you did but that’s because I felt more at ease with it. And no surprise there, but I haven’t even heard of two of your picks.. I mean, I’m really a novice when it comes to classic gangster films.
I really wish Statham workeed with Ritchie again
I wish Ritchie ditched the CGI stuff and just went back to his basics!
I haven’t seen your first pick but I loved the other two.
I recommend the first!
I have the Godfather trilogy and Goodfellas on my 2019 Blind Spot list lol. I’m bad at these classics.
What? And I thought I was doing poorly! 😀