Continuing the G-man cycle with Warner Brother’s Public Enemy’s Wife (1936) and its 1941 remake, Bullets for O’Hara. Reuniting Robert Armstrong and Margaret Lindsay from G Men with Pat O’Brien, Public Enemy’s Wife is a worthwhile Warner’s crime film, while the low budget O’Hara is worth a try for fans of the original.
G Men (1935) Starring James Cagney, Margaret Lindsay, and Ann Dvorak
A look at Warner Brothers’ G MEN (1935) starring James Cagney, this time as the good guy. Based on several real incidents and infamous names, it’s the movie that began the G-Men cycle of films.
The Racket (1928) Starring Thomas Meighan, Louis Wolheim and Marie Prevost
Howard Hughes bought Bartlett Cormack’s play The Racket, which had made Edward G. Robinson a star on Broadway. Hughes made it into a film twice. This article focuses on the first film version, a 1928 silent movie, starring Thomas Meighan with Louis Wolheim as the gangster.
Paramount’s 24 Hours (1931) with Clive Brook, Kay Francis, Miriam Hopkins
Paramount’s Marion Gering gives us Louis Bromfield’s 24 Hours (1931) in just 66 minutes. Featuring an alcoholic Clive Brook, fashionable Kay Francis and Miriam Hopkins belting out a pair of songs in a pre-Code drama ripe for rediscovery.
Mary Burns, Fugitive (1935) Starring Sylvia Sidney with Melvyn Douglas
Sylvia Sidney stars in Mary Burns, Fugitive (1935) her first film under contract to Walter Wanger for Paramount. Introduces Alan Baxter as gangster Babe Wilson. Also featuring Melvyn Douglas, Wallace Ford, Brian Donlevy and Pert Kelton.
Harold Huber “A Sort of Assistant Gangster” You’ve Seen Many Times
Legendary journalist Ernie Pyle tabbed character actor Harold Huber as “a sort of assistant gangster.” Following is a biography of the youthful actor with the scarred cheek who appeared in so many 1930s gangster roles.
Smart Money (1931) Starring Edward G. Robinson and James Cagney
A deep look at Smart Money (1931) starring Edward G. Robinson with James Cagney. Includes detailed original biographical sections about co-stars Noel Francis and Evalyn Knapp.
The Doorway to Hell (1930) Starring Lew Ayres and James Cagney
A deep look at the early gangster movie The Doorway to Hell (1930) with focus on stars Lew Ayres, James Cagney and Dorothy Mathews. Warner Brothers precursor to Little Caesar and The Public Enemy.
Night World (1932) Starring Mae Clarke, Lew Ayres and Boris Karloff
A look at Universal’s rollicking 58-minute movie set inside a speakeasy run by Boris Karloff with a Busby Berkeley choreographed dance to boot. Mae Clarke and Lew Ayres star as the love interests while Clarence Muse and general ambiance steal the show.
The Devil Is a Sissy (1936) Starring Freddie Bartholomew, Jackie Cooper, Mickey Rooney
A somewhat bizarre gem released by MGM in 1936 The Devil Is a Sissy features Freddie Bartholomew, Jackie Cooper and Mickey Rooney hitting their teens and finding trouble on the East Side.
