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Smart Money (1931)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
11 July 1931 (USA)
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Plot:
Immigrant Greek barber has uncommon skills in playing poker and soon rises in the seedy world of illegal gambling, but pretty blondes remain his Achilles' heel. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar.
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NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Smart Money is on the Hunt for Deals in Toronto
(From The Wrap. 11 September 2009, 10:38 PM, PDT)
Susan Boyle to Cover Madonna and Make American Debut
(From Movieline. 9 September 2009, 6:00 PM, PDT)
(From The Wrap. 11 September 2009, 10:38 PM, PDT)
Susan Boyle to Cover Madonna and Make American Debut
(From Movieline. 9 September 2009, 6:00 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
A Historic Screen Teaming
more (12 total)
Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Edward G. Robinson | ... | Nick 'The Barber' Venizelos | |
| James Cagney | ... | Jack | |
| Evalyn Knapp | ... | Irene Graham | |
| Ralf Harolde | ... | Sleepy Sam, earlier mistaken for Hickory Short | |
| Noel Francis | ... | Marie (Sleepy Sam's girl) | |
| Margaret Livingston | ... | District Attorney's girl | |
| Maurice Black | ... | Greek barber | |
| Billy House | ... | Irontown salesman-gambler (as William House) | |
| Paul Porcasi | ... | Alexander Amenoppopolus | |
| Gladys Lloyd | ... | Second cigar stand clerk | |
| Polly Walters | ... | Lola (manicurist) |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
USA:81 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
USA:Approved (PCA #2308-R, 26 May 1936 for re-release)
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The role played by Donald Cook was all but eliminated in the final cut, but he still appears as one of Nick's two accomplices (along with 'James Cagney' after one of the poker games.
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Goofs:
Factual errors: According to video commentators Ursini and Silver, Robinson starred as Luis Pasteur, a role that was played by Paul Muni. Also they credit "Scarface" as a Universal picture. It was actually a Caddo Picture released by United Artists.
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Quotes:
Dist. Atty. Black:
If you were the D.A., how would you tackle him?
Sleepy Sam, earlier mistaken for Hickory Short: I'd shoot him some night when he was trying to escape from the law.
Dist. Atty. Black: Don't be silly! Thaat isn't done!
Sleepy Sam, earlier mistaken for Hickory Short: Well, you know his weakness, don't you?
Dist. Atty. Black: What?
Sleepy Sam, earlier mistaken for Hickory Short: Heh, he's nuts for blondes. Yeah, send your wife around.
[as he exits the door]
Sleepy Sam, earlier mistaken for Hickory Short: He'll go for any old bag!
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Sleepy Sam, earlier mistaken for Hickory Short: I'd shoot him some night when he was trying to escape from the law.
Dist. Atty. Black: Don't be silly! Thaat isn't done!
Sleepy Sam, earlier mistaken for Hickory Short: Well, you know his weakness, don't you?
Dist. Atty. Black: What?
Sleepy Sam, earlier mistaken for Hickory Short: Heh, he's nuts for blondes. Yeah, send your wife around.
[as he exits the door]
Sleepy Sam, earlier mistaken for Hickory Short: He'll go for any old bag!
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in James Cagney: Top of the World (1992) (TV)
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Soundtrack:
Auld Lang Syne
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (12 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Smart Money (1931)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| what an entrance! | jdickson05 |
| Boris Karloff and Charles Lane | west1800john |
| DVD Release-- March 25, 2008 | dnscal |
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| News articles | IMDb Crime section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |

Smart Money is famous for the teaming of Edward G. Robinson and James Cagney in the only time they shared the screen. Both men had just come off their breakthrough performances in Little Caesar and Public Enemy respectively. Of the two of them, Robinson comes off far the better.
I'm not sure why Cagney did this film, more than likely because he was told to and was not yet rebelling against Jack Warner. He's strangely subdued in the part, the usual Cagney bounce and cockiness just isn't there for me.
Cagney plays the best friend of Greek barber Edward G. Robinson who in his career played any number of ethnic types. Here he's a happy go lucky barber whose place doubles as a betting establishment. He likes to play, but when friends raise a bankroll for him to try his luck in the big city he gets good and clipped.
Robinson's down, but not out. He goes back and clips the clippers and becomes a big gambling racketeer. Problems do arise when he and Cagney quarrel over the same woman.
It's definitely Robinson's picture, maybe it's why Cagney and he never worked together again. I would like to have seen them both in a film with a more typical Jimmy Cagney.
Still when it's broadcast it should not be missed.