This Iconic 1938 Gangster Thriller With 100% Tomatometer Still Holds Up in 2024
You can't beat the classics.
If you are a fan of old movies, you definitely have your own list of flicks you rewatch whenever the thought “cinema used to be better” appears in your mind after yet another stupid comedy hits theaters.
Back in 1938, one of the best crime dramas was released. Angels with Dirty Faces is a film directed by Michael Curtiz for Warner Brothers. The movie stars James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, The Dead End Kids, Humphrey Bogart, Ann Sheridan, and George Bancroft.
It follows the lives of notorious gangster William "Rocky" Sullivan and his childhood friend-turned-priest, Father Jerry Connolly. After spending 3 years in prison for armed robbery, Rocky is trying to steal a huge amount of money from his co-conspirator, mob lawyer Jim Frazier. Meanwhile, Father Connolly is trying to keep a group of teenagers from falling under Rocky's influence.
What fans of the movie love the most are the performances of James Cagney and Pat O'Brien, and basically the movie is a milestone in the careers of both of them. And the characters they played in this 1938 movie influenced their future acting experiences.
“I think this is the best, most thoughtful old school gangster movie. Whether Rocky (Cagney ) turned yellow at the end for his friend and to save the kids who looked up to him, or out of real cowardice, is a debate for all time. I’m a romantic, so I say the former,” Redditor eternalsteelfan said.
Angels With Dirty Faces still has a powerful message for today, and movie buffs should see it for that reason alone. The movie has a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score from critics (as well as 92% from viewers) and still attracts the fans of noir thrillers and gangster flicks.
How to Watch Angels With Dirty Faces?
You can rent the movie on Amazon Prime or AppleTV+.