Roger Corman, as ever faced with a shoestring budget, makes the most of a tough assignment by relying on a strong Campbell script, effective B&W cinematography from Floyd Crosby and, at the top of it all, a - to me - completely unexpected superior performance from Charles Bronson, displaying a spectrum of emotions ranging from quiet, even afraid criminal, to over the top James Cagney-like behavior in WHITE HEAT (1950).
This is certainly the best show I have ever watched from the very limited and usually very physical Bronson. His mood swings and in particular his treatment of the caged cougar, mirroring his cowardly and abusive treatment of Susan are memorable, if difficult to stomach.
Kudos too for Susan Cabot, who loves a most undeserving man and wants to bask in the glory of short-lived fame as a criminal; for the comedian Morey Amsterdam playing the one-armed bandit Fandango with some style; Richard Devon trying for bigger stakes as Apple; and Jack Lambert as the vicious Howard.
As other reviewers indicate, Machine-Gun Kelly did exist but this film takes massive license with actual history. To me, that makes no difference at all, and even adds to Director Corman's imaginative but restrained filmmaking.
Definitely worth a watch. 7/10.
This is certainly the best show I have ever watched from the very limited and usually very physical Bronson. His mood swings and in particular his treatment of the caged cougar, mirroring his cowardly and abusive treatment of Susan are memorable, if difficult to stomach.
Kudos too for Susan Cabot, who loves a most undeserving man and wants to bask in the glory of short-lived fame as a criminal; for the comedian Morey Amsterdam playing the one-armed bandit Fandango with some style; Richard Devon trying for bigger stakes as Apple; and Jack Lambert as the vicious Howard.
As other reviewers indicate, Machine-Gun Kelly did exist but this film takes massive license with actual history. To me, that makes no difference at all, and even adds to Director Corman's imaginative but restrained filmmaking.
Definitely worth a watch. 7/10.