The Roaring Twenties (1939)

The Roaring Twenties
Directed by Raul Walsh
Written by Jerry Wald, Richard Macauley, and Richard Rossen from an original story by Mark Hellinger
1939/USA
Warner Bros.
First viewing/Netflix rental

[box]Panama Smith: This is Eddie Bartlett.

Cop: Well, how’re you hooked up with him?

Panama Smith: I could never figure it out.

Cop: What was his business?

Panama Smith: He used to be a big shot.

[/box]

This is a first-class gangster film with dynamic performances by two great stars.

The movie tells the story of the “rise” of Eddie Bartlett (James Cagney) from a doughboy in World War I to a powerful bootlegger and his “fall” due to his love of the wrong woman. Eddie is a likeable sort of every man all along the road. His path crosses early on with ruthless fellow bootlegger (George Halley) and good-guy lawyer Lloyd Hart (Jeffrey Lynn). He falls hard for singer Jean (Priscilla Lane).  Saloonkeeper Panama carries a torch for Eddie but is unable to win him or make him see that he and Jean are from different worlds.

Any movie with Cagney and Bogart is guaranteed to be entertaining and this one does not disappoint.  Director Raul Walsh gives it a special class with taut action scenes, an iconic death on church steps, and some beautiful camera work. Cinematographer Ernest Haller provided the deep shadows that make the black and white shine.  Recommended.

Trailer – note reference to “today’s headlines” … and Priscilla Lane! – worst costume since poor Anne Dvorak’s in G Men