Blonde Crazy (1931)Adventures of a cocky con man and his glamorous accomplice. Director:Roy Del Ruth |
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Blonde Crazy (1931)Adventures of a cocky con man and his glamorous accomplice. Director:Roy Del Ruth |
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| Complete credited cast: | |||
| James Cagney | ... | ||
| Joan Blondell | ... | ||
| Louis Calhern | ... | ||
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Noel Francis | ... |
Helen Wilson
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| Ray Milland | ... |
Joe Reynolds
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Guy Kibbee | ... |
A. Rupert Johnson, Jr.
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Polly Walters | ... |
Peggy
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William Burress | ... |
Col. Bellock
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Maude Eburne | ... |
Mrs. Snyder
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Nat Pendleton | ... |
Hank - aka Pete
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At a midwestern hotel, conniving bellhop Bert Harris has a finger in every pie. He promotes a job for glamorous Ann Roberts, but she does not immediately succumb to his charms. However, Bert soon enlists Ann as partner in his new profession of con man. Most of the victims they fleece are lawbreakers themselves. But Bert is tempted to try actual stealing, and Ann fears it will bring bad luck... Written by Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>
Bellhop James Cagney and hotel maid Joan Blondell have a lot of ambitions during Depression Era America. They've seen the American dream go belly up on Wall Street, seen lots of people lose everything they have to crooks and chiselers and have decided if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. And Cagney has entitled what he considers the Depression to be, the age of chiselry.
These two are obviously so suited for each other. But for what each considers practical reasons they hook up with other people. Cagney hero worships noted confidence man Louis Calhern and Blondell takes a shine to polished and dapper Ray Milland, a wall street broker. Each becomes quite disillusioned.
This is a good piece of historic Americana, depression era. People like Cagney and Blondell lost a lot of ideals in that period and it rings true even today. Later on Preston Sturges would take some of the same themes in Blonde Crazy and use them in a more comedic way. But this film is still pretty good on its own merits.