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White Heat (1949)
The One And Only James Cagney!
What more can be said about this unforgettable, landmark film featuring a memorable James Cagney performance that may be one of the finest in screen history? The film never gets old and is as much fun to watch the 50th time as it is the first. JC's portrayal of maniacal, mother-obsessed Cody Jarrett is one for the ages and director Raoul Walsh never flinches in bringing us what may be the finest gangster film ever and, IMHO, one of the very few perfect gangster movies of all time. The supporting cast lead by Virginia Mayo, Edmond O'Brien, Steve Cochran and Margaret Wycherly is spot on perfect. The film which is exciting and swiftly paced from start to finish, features an almost documentary feel particularly the efforts of the Treasury Department and their attempts to put an end to Jarrett once and for all. A brilliant film on all counts and one for the ages IMHO.
Angels with Dirty Faces (1938)
Amazing!
A memorable, amazing gangster film with a social message featuring a blistering performance by the one and only James Cagney. JC plays notorious gangster Rocky Sullivan who comes back to his old neighborhood and a reunion with his old pal Jerry Connelly. Time has a strange way of changing things, you see, Sullivan and Connelly were boyhood pals from the wrong side of the tracks. Sullivan spent time in a reformatory only to emerge the hardened criminal that he is. Connelly, spared time in the reformatory because he could run faster then Rocky and got away, is now a priest trying to keep the youth from his neighborhood out of trouble. Father Connelly is working hard on a group of youngsters, the Dead End Kids, who are already headed in the wrong direction. Things become complicated when Rocky arrives as the youngsters idolize the gangster and begin to really show signs of an impending criminal life. Rocky's own problems mount, including being ripped off by his lawyer James Frazier played by Humphrey Bogart. Rocky tries to remedy his situation but his cohorts are planning to rub out Father Connelly who's one man crusade to wipe out the criminal element is going too far. Rocky will have no part of it and resorts to murder to prevent his friend from being killed. Unfortunately, Rocky is caught and is sentenced to die in the electric chair setting up one of the most memorable conclusions in film history.
This is a completely absorbing, emotional film with standout performances from everyone. Besides Cagney, Pat O'Brien as Father Connelly gives what is perhaps his finest performance. The support from Bogart, the Dead End Kids and Ann Sheridan are all top notch. Many unforgettable scenes abound, namely Cagney's unorthodox "refereeing" at a basketball game and the aforementioned conclusion which still haunts me to this day. Director Michael Curtiz does an amazing job. His camera is almost in constant movement with fluid passes and turns and his brilliant use of light, darkness and shadow is amazing to watch. I just can't say enough about this film, one of the finest gangster epics to ever grace the big screen. It's very easy to see why Cagney was nominated for an Academy Award in this one.
The Roaring Twenties (1939)
Well Paced And Exciting
Terrific, involving gangster film by director Raoul Walsh featuring top-notch performances led by the usual good as gold James Cagney. JC plays a good man who comes home from WWI realizing the world has changed and there is nothing there for him compared to before he went overseas. Though his introduction to the underworld is set-up without him knowing, Cags takes to the lifestyle since the best he can do is make a living as a cabbie. He fly's to the top during prohibition falling for Priscilla Lane, the girl he brought into his nightclub to sing and who doesn't return his affection, as well as taking Humphrey Bogart on as a partner. Lane falls for JC's good guy lawyer Jeffrey Lynn who she eventually marries and has a child with. Along the way, Lynn has been made an assistant district attorney. With the repeal of prohibition, Cags falls on hard times and is forced back to the cabbie ranks while ex-partner Bogart rises to the top. This sets up a memorable confrontation between the two as JC tries to prevent Bogie from knocking off Lane's lawyer husband.
Some folks found this film to be slow moving but I didn't. Sure, it doesn't crackle with an over-abundance of energy like some of Cagney's other gangster films but I thought it was well paced and exciting enough. Lot's of great dialog and a nice semi-documentary style employed by the great Walsh. The performances are excellent all around and as usual, Cagney stands out but the one performance I do want to mention is that of Gladys George as Panama Smith. Her friendship and chemistry with Cagney bursts on the screen as soon as they meet and the saucy George is also tough as nails and at the ready with a great one-liner. Her toughness is at times just a mask for a soft heart and an obvious boatload of affection for Cagney's Eddie Bartlett. It really is a memorable performance.
Laura (1944)
A Very Good Film
A very good and very interesting noir featuring excellent performances from Dana Andrews, Gene Tierney, Clifton Webb and Vincent Price. Andrews plays a detective investigating the murder of successful businesswoman Tierney. As the investigation unfolds, Andrews begins to fall for the victim, seemingly drawn to her by a self portrait in her apartment. As the case deepens, Andrews cannot prepare himself for the unexpected twist the lurid situation is about to throw his way. I was really impressed with the performances, particularly Dana Andrews as Lt. Mark McPherson. His was a subdued performance but commanding and authoritative. Gene Tierney is great also and possesses one of the most beautiful faces I have ever seen. Direction by Otto Preminger is solid with great atmosphere that lingers throughout what is a twisty, turny film noir. A very good film and one that every serious noir fan needs to see/own.
The Petrified Forest (1936)
Solid And Menacing
Solid, well written film with fine performances and a menacing, breakthrough acting job by Humphrey Bogart. Set in a desolate, desert cafe in a desolate Arizona town, Bogart and his murderous, violent band of criminals hold up and hold hostage, a various assortment of people. There is an intellectual(Leslie Howard), a waitress with big aspirations(Bette Davis), a jock(Dick Foran), a vigilante(Porter Hall) and a rich, squabbling couple(Paul Harvey and Genevieve Tobin) among others. The action is limited as this is basically a filmed stage play, but the dialog crackles and is crisply delivered by the actors. Director Archie Mayo does a fine job in the film noir style creating dark, shadowy and sombre moments. He also does a great job wringing out the atmosphere as the viewer can really get the feeling that they are in this desolate cafe in the middle of nowhere with a howling wind and blowing sagebrush. The performance by Bogart is astonishing. Unshaven, menacing and brooding. He may have been the screens first truly mean and scary gangster. A fine film.
Possessed (1947)
More Soap Opera Then Noir
Classified by many as film noir, this one plays more like an overly dramatic melodrama and soap opera IMHO. Joan Crawford plays an unstable woman who slowly slips into madness after being rejected by Van Heflin. To make matters worse, Heflin is now dating Crawford's step daughter following Joan's rebound marriage to Raymond Massey. Sounds pretty sappy, and, it really is.
I did like the performances of both Heflin and Massey but for whatever reason, I couldn't really take Crawford seriously in this one and found her role to be hammy and over the top. A lot of folks praise this movie and Joan's work but it must have slipped right by me. I didn't find it all that entertaining but it definitely was atmospheric in spots.
Little Caesar (1931)
Enjoyable And Memorable
Very entertaining and enjoyable film that put Edward G. Robinson on the map. Robinson plays Cesare Enrico 'Rico' Bandello, aka, Little Caesar and the film documents his rise to the top of the Chicago underworld and his subsequent crash to a skid row boarding house. Robinson's performance is wonderful to watch as the quick fingered Rico who will kill anyone he can who stands in his way or who tries to do him in. Robinson receives fine support from Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Glenda Farrell, Thomas E. Jackson, Stanley Fields and George E. Stone. Though not as good as it's often compared to cousin "The Public Enemy", the film is tremendously enjoyable and memorable.
Rope (1948)
Hitchcock's Best!
This one doesn't rank highly among Alfred Hitchcock fans but it has become my favorite Hitchcock film and one that gets better for me after repeat viewings. Loosley based on the real life Leopold and Loeb case, Farley Granger and John Dall play close buddies who are convinced that their superior intellect and high social standards will allow them to get away with the perfect murder. They do away with a friend of theirs, hide him in a trunk in the living room and proceed to throw a party for the dead man's family and friends while serving a buffet dinner on the very trunk that now houses his dead body. All seems well for Granger and Dall until their old schoolmaster, played by Jimmy Stewart, arrives at the party. From there, Stewart begins to suspect something is not right and then the fun really begins.
I really like this film. Yes, it is extremely dialog heavy and maybe slow in spots and there is very little action in the course of it's 81 minutes but that doesn't hamper the viewing experience for me. From the outstanding performances to the sparse studio set, the film slowly builds it's suspense to a satisfying pay-off in the final 20 minutes. There is so much for the eye to follow and the ears to listen to that the film is a totally involving experience. Cutting only to replace the camera's with new film after every 10 minutes, Hitchcock films the movie basically in real time. As a result, the camera and main microphones may be focused on a conversation between Stewart and Dall but you have to listen closely because a conversation between Granger and another character is taking place and there are interesting tid-bits to pick up. An amazing feature of the film is the New York skyline outside the apartment's spacious picture windows. To keep with the real time feel, the skyline changes cloud formations, turns to dusk and then neon lit nighttime. It's an excellent touch. I really can't say enough about the film, almost perfect Hitchcock IMHO.
The Public Enemy (1931)
Cagney's Star Making Vehicle
The film that made James Cagney a star and even after all these years, it's easy to see why. JC commands the screen as Tom Powers, a troubled youth who along with partner Matt Doyle rises to near the top of the underworld during the prohibition era. Tom and his brother Mike are deeply loved by their Mother though the two are as different as night and day. Mike stays home to help take care of Ma and eventually enlists in the armed services as WWI is declared. Tom and Matt are the muscle for both Paddy Ryan and Nails Nathan and Tom, clearly with no feeling for others, has no qualms about committing murder which, in a fit of blind vengeance, will lead to his downfall.
This is a wonderful film to watch. The performances from most of the cast are terrific with special kudos to Cagney, Edward Woods and Leslie Fenton. For me, what prevents this from being a four star movie is the dated overacting of others including Donald Cook as Mike and Beryl Mercer as Ma. Still, it doesn't completely detract from the power of the film and the many memorable scenes including the infamous "grapefruit in the face" moment, Tom's brutal, cold slaying of Putty Nose and the famous ending which still packs a surreal wallop to this day. As good as Cagney is in the movie, the direction by William A. Wellman may be even better. Wellman employs a prowling camera and keeps his performers in constant motion which was a bit different then most of the static direction of the era. His camera doesn't show the violence making it's power of suggestion all the more powerful. Again, I go back to the finale and as Cagney comes crashing to the ground, his shocked and stunned brother lifts himself up and in a zombie like state begins the walk to tell his mother about Tom. It's very powerful and memorable. A very vivid, unforgettable film that falls just short of being a four star movie due to some of the performances but it's something that should not be missed by film fans anywhere.
Jigsaw (1949)
An Interesting Watch
A different and at times dark and disturbing noir/crime/political drama starring Franchot Tone. Tone plays Assistant District Attorney Howard Malloy who is investigating a couple of strange murders, including that of his friend and newspaper columnist Charles Riggs, that seem to have ties to an underground hate group called The Crusaders. Though it is not ever mentioned by name, the film seems to point towards the emerging dangers of communism. The film is well acted by Tone and his supporting cast including Jean Wallace, Marc Lawrence, Myron McCormick, Winifred Lenihan and Betty Harper. Though only competently directed by Fletcher Markle, there are some interesting camera angles and the finale in a dark, shadowy museum is the real highlight of the film. The movie appears to be filmed on location in New York City and the keen eye will spot quick walk-on and cameo appearances from stars such as Marlene Dietrich, Henry Fonda and Burgess Meredith. A unique, dark, if at times slow film that makes for a real interesting watch.
Woman on the Run (1950)
Odd But At Times Enjoyable
Had a chance to watch WOMAN ON THE RUN the other night and found it an odd, but at times enjoyable noir. Ann Sheridan plays the title role and the first thing you notice about this movie is that it is chock full of the snappy, sassy dialog that films like this are all about. Much of that great dialog provided by Sheridan. She plays the wife of an innocent bystander(Ross Elliott) who witnesses a murder while out walking the dog but rather then help the cops and become a possible target for the killer, he flees. This backfires of course, because not only do the cops want him but also, the killer. Sheridan teams with reporter Danny Leggett, the always terrific Dennis O'Keefe, to try and find her husband before the killer and the cops do. To make matters worse, Sheridan finds out, because she was never told, that her husband suffers from a heart condition that requires medication, which he is out of. The film builds to a bizarre climax with an interesting plot twist that for me, saved the film. I say saved because even though the plot sounds pretty interesting and the characters and performers are excellent, the film is a bit too talky and slow paced at times but it does pick up towards the conclusion. Director Norman Foster does a pretty good job using San Francisco locales and creating the right amount of darkness and shadows for the night scenes. The climax at an amusement park is quite bizarre and put me in mind of an episode of THE TWILIGHT ZONE entitled PERCHANCE TO DREAM. I think I should mention the fine performance also of Robert Keith as the police Inspector who heads the case. An interesting, if at times slow film that comes through at the end.
Port of New York (1949)
If You Like Fisticuffs!
Had a chance to sit down and watch PORT OF NEW YORK some time ago and I have to say that this is a terrific little noir/crime/thriller! Told in "documentary style" as in such films as HOUSE ON 92ND STREET, THE NAKED CITY and HE WALKED BY NIGHT, the movie is swiftly paced, violent with a decent amount of suspense and plenty of fisticuffs. Scott Brady and Richard Rober play a couple of federal agents, one a customs agent and the other a treasury agent out to stop the distribution of illegal "contraband", i.e., opium, that came in on a ship but was smuggled off by drug dealers. The leader of the drug operation is Yul Brynner, sporting a head of dark, wavy hair and appearing in his first film role I believe. Brynner is suave and refined and listens to avant-garde piano music but it is clear that he is also quite cold and violent as the bodies start to pile up. Plenty of action to keep one interested and wonderful direction from Laslo Benedek. The real star though is cinematographer George E. Diskant. Filmed entirely on location in New York City, the film bursts to life with magnificent images of the Big Apple and some truly wonderful shots of the NYC maritime scene. This is a rather obscure, "B" noir/crime film that was a pleasant surprise and a movie that all fans of the genre should check out.
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (1950)
Nifty Follow-Up To White Heat
Had a chance to watch KISS TOMORROW GOODBYE and although I don't agree with the claims of some that if you must see one "crime" film, this is it, I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed it and that James Cagney was again terrific and on top of his game for this one. I also didn't get the feeling that this film was, in reality, WHITE HEAT 2, as some have said but it was a nifty follow up to that classic JC film. Cagney was indeed brutal and off his rocker, but it was more controlled and offset with his characters smarts and sense of humor. In WHITE HEAT, JC was just downright nuts, out of control and a lot more frightening IMHO. In KTG, Cags plays Ralph Cotter who after a daring and violent daylight prison break, uses his smarts to prove that he is no small timer and formulates a grand scheme to garner lots of cash and protection which involves crooked lawyers and crooked policemen. Cotter, in the end, is his own downfall as he goes too far and his romance with a high society girl with a very wealthy and powerful father, leads to his downfall because one thing you don't do is double-cross your moll! Excellent performance by all, including Barbara Payton and a near film stealing performance by Luther Adler as JC's eccentric and very crooked lawyer. Direction is robust and swiftly paced by Gordon Douglas and in the end, makes this film fun, breezy, yet violent, but also a very good watch.
Dick Tracy vs. Cueball (1946)
Entertaining Enough
Watched this second entry in the series of mid-1940's Dick Tracy films and while I didn't find it as good as the first one, it still held it's own and was entertaining enough.
In this one, Tracy battles imposing criminal Cueball and his band of diamond thieves. Morgan Conway, in his second and final appearance as DT, does an OK job but doesn't have the presence he had in "Dick Tracy Detective". The rest of DT's sidekicks also come off as less energetic then in the first film but still do a decent job. This entry does seem a bit corny though, especially when you look at the names of the other characters and settings in the film. For example, the antique store owner is called Percival Priceless and the diamond store where some of the action takes place is called Sparkles and so on. The real problem though is the lead criminal in the film. Cueball certainly is imposing to look at and he does strangle someone to death but basically the guy is a clumsy ox with a pretty low IQ to match. The gang that works for him doesn't appear to be too frightened of him also judging from the way they talk to him and lecture him. His demise is also a hoot to watch! Still, despite the drawbacks, director Gordon Douglas keeps the pace brisk and jumping right along and again creates a nice film noir look and feel to the movie. We get some nice touches of light and shadow and some pretty interesting camera movement. It feels like more of a filler and is a few notches below the first entry but "Dick Tracy vs. Cueball" still turned out to be an interesting and fun watch.
The Set-Up (1949)
Maybe The Best Noir Ever?
I'm not sure how to describe just how much I loved this movie. A sweaty, grimy, gritty Noir/Drama directed with great flair by Robert Wise. Told in real time, the story involves aging boxer Bill "Stoker" Thompson, played brilliantly by Robert Ryan, who at the age of 35 still dreams of that "one big punch" that will bring him and wife Julie, another excellent turn by Audrey Totter, security and fortune. Thompson has a four round bout coming up this evening that he is sure he can win. This doesn't matter to his wife though, she has had enough and fears for Thompson's safety in the ring. She refuses to attend the bout, much to the dismay of the good hearted fighter. As Thompson leaves his hotel and crosses the street to the venue, he is oblivious to the fact that his manager and handler have worked out a deal with the local criminal boss "Little Boy", well played by Alan Baxter, in which Thompson will take a dive and "Little Boy's" fighter, Tiger Nelson, will come away victorious. Thompson's manager is so sure his aging fighter can't beat Nelson anyway so he decides not to tell him, confident that his boxer just isn't good enough. The remainder of the film is hard edged, exciting and poignant as everyone's fate is played out in this small time frame with Thompson and his wife's especially ironic.
This is a brilliant film in every respect. The performances are amazing, not only from Ryan and Totter but also from the supporting cast which lends an undeniable air of authenticity to the proceedings. For example, Thompson's four round bout with Nelson is not only played out in real time, it is realistic and vicious. You would swear that every punch is landing on both actor's and Ryan is doing all his ring work, no stunt guy here. Wise's direction is so sure handed and flawless it can leave you shaking your head in amazement. His camera prowls everywhere but also knows when to focus. Lots of close-up camera work during the boxing match brings you right into the action with sweat flying everywhere. Wise's studio locale of Paradise City is just a joy to behold. Bustling, full of people and neon lights but at the same time, haunting, dark and shadowy. Totter's stroll to the street car overpass is brilliant and an excellent example of how sets or locales can enhance a story or a scene. A nice touch also is how the opening and closing credits were done. The opening has no music and just the sounds of a boxing match and visuals of only boxers legs in the ring. The closing credits are simply cast credits displayed over haunting silence. A thrilling, dramatic, potent and deeply penetrating film that should satisfy fans of all genres.
Fly My Kite (1931)
A True Our Gang Classic
I have not come across many people my age who didn't remember this short and for good reason. For my money, it's one of the series all-time best. The interaction between Grandma and the kids is so honest, so endearing and so spot on it makes you forget you are watching a film. It also proves just how talented these kids really were. Grandma's son-in-law is one of the most low down, despicable characters you're likely to find which makes his downfall at the end even more satisfying. I'd be willing to bet that this short has the longest sustained action segment of any Our Gang entry. The concluding six and a half minutes is non-stop action driven along by the rousing background theme "Hide And Go Seek". Entertaining and memorable from start to finish.
Bargain Day (1931)
Very Funny And Very Entertaining
I really had very little memory of this Our Gang short from seeing it on TV as a kid. So, I was glad to re-visit it recently. Felt like I was watching one I really hadn't seen before. This is a funny, entertaining short with much of the focus on Wheezer and Stymie. There is a neat "who's on first" type sequence involving the kids and although it comes off rather stilted, it's still a nice touch. Stymie's encounter and subsequent battle with one of the weirdest monkey's I have ever seen is very funny with the monkey even sporting Mickey Daniels patented horse laugh. There are also some humorous scenes involving Chubby and his quest to find the right hat as well as trying to lose weight in a steamer. There is a lot going on here but it all adds up to about 20 minutes of good, humorous fun.
Love Business (1931)
Funny, Charming Our Gang Entry
Yet another wonderful short in the Our Gang series with Miss Crabtree. Here, the lovely young teacher rents a room at Jack's house. This really makes our young hero happy until rival Chubby shows up attempting to court Miss Crabtree. Many funny scenes like the "moth ball soup" sequence and Jack's attempts at disrupting Chubby's romantic endeavor. The kids, as usual, are wonderful, funny and believable. Miss Crabtree is charming and Jack's younger brother Wheezer really plays it for laughs. This was the last of the three Our Gang shorts to use the spoken word opening credits sequence. It's really too bad as it added a very nice touch to the series and gave it a real distinctive feel.
Helping Grandma (1931)
Decent Our Gang Entry
I'd consider this a decent entry in the series. Not spectacular but enjoyable enough. Margaret Mann was always a most welcome addition and here she is as sweet, as caring and as feisty as ever. Not many belly laughs to be had with a lot of the focus on youngsters like Weezer and Stymie. The ending is quite well done though with McGowan showing a real affinity for action as the chain store guys race to Grandma's store as the conniving swindler attempts to bilk Grandma out of her store for far less than the chain store people will pay. All in all a pretty decent short that probably ranks in the middle to lower tier of Our Gang entries from this very fertile period in the series.
School's Out (1930)
A Worthy Follow-Up
A film that is a worthy and wonderful follow-up to the classic "Teacher's Pet". This one is played for more laughs then the proceeding short but retains it's charm and it's warmth. Here, the kids already smitten with their new teacher Miss Crabtree, fear she will get married and leave them. In walks a handsome young man inquiring about Miss Crabtree's whereabouts. The boys take this as an ominous sign and leap into action to "protect" their beloved teacher.
Again, this one has more chuckles then the first but is also nearly as endearing and memorable. Once again, that soft focus, haze-like filming approach is used to great effect eliciting a warm, summer/spring feel to the proceedings. Well done!
Teacher's Pet (1930)
Deserving Of It's Classic Status
A wonderful Our Gang short that certainly deserves the accolades heaped upon it throughout the years. A warm, heartfelt, humorous look at a boyhood crush between student and teacher. Jackie Cooper shines as the young student smitten by new teacher Miss Crabtree. June Marlowe, while not a great actress, is endearing and lovely as the new teacher. A well told and well acted short that is rightly looked at as one of Our Gang's best.
As much as this short is noted for introducing Marlowe and Matthew Beard to audiences as well as being one of three shorts to use spoken word opening credits and for introducing the "Good Old Days" opening theme, what is equally important is it's recognition as a time capsule. A wonderful look at the more simple times that have longed since passed. The dirt road leading to school. The beautiful eucalyptus trees lining the road. The one room school house. A snap shot of more simple days. What also helps this short is how it was filmed. A soft focus, almost haze-like approach that really conveys the feeling of a warm, late summer day when school was back in session. Classic!
Bear Shooters (1930)
Entertaining Outdoor Our Gang Short
Released just prior to the time many experts feel the Our Gang series really hit it's stride, this is a pretty entertaining little number that is fondly remembered from watching it on TV during my childhood. The gang, including one time only member Leon Janney, wants to go camping and shoot a lot of bears. Janney must take along kid brother Weezer who has the croup. Lot's of fun situations arise as the gang reaches it's camp site. There are also a couple of moonshiners there who try to scare off the kids but as we know, these resourceful youngsters have no fear in fighting off the enemy and quickly turn the tables on the moonshiners in very funny fashion. All in all a pretty satisfying short that benefits from nice outdoor scenery.
Pups Is Pups (1930)
If I Had To Choose My All-Time Favorite Our Gang Comedy...
...this might be my selection. I've always said that for me, it's impossible to pick a favorite short from the series but this is as close as I can come to a definitive choice. My memories from seeing this on TV during my childhood are so vivid that I can pretty much remember the day of the week it was, the weather conditions outside, etc. That's how impactful and memorable this short is. No wonder that in 2004 it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
First off, this is the first Our Gang short to fully utilize the wonderful background music by LeRoy Shield that the series would become famous for. Let's face it, many people remember the music almost as much as the shorts themselves. Of particular note is the heavy use of the rousing theme "Hide And Go Seek" heard most often when the scenes included the pups and/or the pups and Weezer. This short also marked the debut of Dorothy DeBorba. There are pretty much four stories in one here. Weezer and his relationship with the pups. The gang entering their rag tag pets in a contest. DeBorba constantly jumping into puddles to the dismay of brother Jackie Cooper. The patient forced to leave his head/neck in a "looking up" position. All four of these stories are molded effortlessly into a fun, charming, endearing and briskly paced two-reeler. The kids are real, they are charming and they are funny. Weezer is a delight as his relationship with his puppies is genuine and heartwarming.
The aforementioned music score is most welcome and carries the action beautifully and seamlessly. Another wonderful aspect of this short are the sets. They are beautiful, particularly where the kids are happily at play. They are in some kind of backyard lot surrounded by their house which are themselves surrounded by imposing but breathtaking steel industrial buildings. Simply wonderful to look at.
This is a magnificent entry into the series. Maybe it's best and certainly, it's most important.
The First Seven Years (1930)
Wonderful Early Our Gang Short From Roach And Company
Here is an early Our Gang talkie that nearly fires on all cylinders. Entertaining and charming from the get go. The terrific Jackie Cooper is the focal point here and you can see why audiences loved watching the kid. He'll, reluctantly, do what it takes to win Mary Ann's heart even if that means possibly perishing in a dual with his rival. Many wonderful moments abound in this one including Kennedy the cop giving advice to Jack on winning over Mary Ann, Farina being caught between the sheets during the duel and Mary Ann's response to getting poked with one of the swords. All in all, a terrific short with a wonderfully funny ending that is a trademark of Roach and company.
When the Wind Blows (1930)
Wonderful, Atmospheric Our Gang Short
Without a doubt, one of my favorite Our Gang shorts. Probably the loudest entry in the series. There is just so much going on that leads to this noisy and funny chaos. The scenes in Farina's house are hysterical as is the youngster's reactions to being scared. You see, Jack is locked out of his house on this windy night and he get's mistaken for a burglar, ghosts and just about anything else. Cooper is typically wonderful as he battles against mounting bad luck. Kennedy the cop is around to lend his usual bungling charms to the proceedings. What I really like about this short is it's atmosphere. You really can "feel" this chilly, windy night. The wind howls, papers fly, clothes on the line are tossed about. It's a really funny, atmospheric short that ranks high in the series as far as I'm concerned.