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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2020 8:30:57 GMT
While filling in the holes of movies I haven't seen by certain actors I came across this gem. At first it seems it's going to be another sappy melodrama but grabbed me on many levels. The movie itself is about he people but its equally about the city and its ambiance. I'm sorry it took me so long to find this film but am so happy that I finally did. It has everything Love, loss, joy, sadness, murder, boxing, singing, dancing, orchestras, wonderful scenery, selflessness. It doesn't have monsters but after one of the boxing matches you could say Cagney looked a bit like Frankenstein. It also has an amazing top notch cast. **********James Cagney & Ann Southern*******************************Arthur Kennedy*************** ************Donald Crisp**************************Anthony Quinn***************** ********Ward Bond******** ***************************************Frank Cavern******************************** ********Frank McHugh*****************George Tobias************* *******Jerome Cowan********* Elia Kazan Charles Lane
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Post by hitchcockthelegend on Mar 1, 2020 11:13:08 GMT
Great film that I haven't seen since 2008, I reviewed it then. I'll spoiler tag it in case there is anyone who hasn't seen it yet. Powerhouse Cagney in melodramatic heart-tugger.
If taken purely on script alone the film only amounts up to the usual fare we have seen a zillion times over the years. The basic formula being that two brothers are taking different paths in career choices and the elder brother is doing all he can to help realise his younger brother's dream of being a composer, yet thankfully here the film has a great deal more to offer outside of the usual standard fare.
The elder brother boxes to support his young bro's dream but he's tragically almost blinded in a gruelling 15 round fight where foul cheat tactics are used against him. The film then follows the love interest slant of the family & girlfriend closest to our stricken boxer, where thankfully the film manages to stay clear of drowning in a bowl of sickly syrup. Playing out with a very deep emotional heart the film functions so well because of the lead actor. James Cagney was 42 when he made this film, yet he looks like a lithe athletic man in his twenties, such was his commitment to the role. He imbues such gusto into the role of Danny Kenny that he alone demands you watch this film. Cagney is also staunchly supported by Ann Sheridan, Arthur Kennedy, and by a very brash turn from Anthony Quinn. It's a film that tugs on your heart strings at times, and yes it has the audience begging for an uplift in the final reel, but it's done well and delivers all that you had hoped for at the start of the film.
The back story doesn't read so well though, Cagney & director Anatole Litvak were continually at war during filming, and most of Cagney's input into the film was cut out. Cagney was so annoyed and sad with the final outcome, he wrote to Aben Kandel (the writer of the novel the film is adapted from) and apologised with sincerity, he need not of worried though for the final result is a very rewarding experience indeed. 8/10
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Post by marianne48 on Mar 1, 2020 19:55:31 GMT
This was one of the films that nourished my childhood crush on James Cagney.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2020 0:12:50 GMT
While filling in the holes of movies I haven't seen by certain actors I came across this gem.
I love this film! Such a beauty for all the reasons you mention, and also because I think Cagney, Ann Sheridan, and Arthur Kennedy all give remarkable performances in it. I will never not watch it given the opportunity. The scene at the newspaper stand breaks my heart every time I see it.
The oomph girl absolutely killed it! She was great at what she did but that moniker kind of hurt her. She always felt she didn't get the roles that showed her range. Although she (and others) turned down Mildred Pierce. She also didn't make the best decisions in her personal life but she was great in the roles she did do.
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