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Title: Angels with Dirty Faces (1938)
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Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| James Cagney | ... | Rocky Sullivan | |
| Pat O'Brien | ... | Jerry Connolly | |
| Humphrey Bogart | ... | James Frazier | |
| Ann Sheridan | ... | Laury Martin | |
| George Bancroft | ... | Mac Keefer | |
 |
The Dead End Kids | ... | (as The 'Dead End' Kids) |
| Billy Halop | ... | Soapy | |
| Bobby Jordan | ... | Swing | |
| Leo Gorcey | ... | Bim | |
| Gabriel Dell | ... | Pasty | |
| Huntz Hall | ... | Crab | |
| Bernard Punsly | ... | Hunky (as Bernard Punsley) | |
|
|
Joe Downing | ... | Steve |
| Edward Pawley | ... | Edwards | |
|
|
Adrian Morris | ... | Blackie |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
See All (85) »
Storyline
Two boyhood friends, Rocky Sullivan and Jerry Connolly have taken different paths in life. After Rocky is arrested he is sent to a juvenile facility and becomes a lifelong tough guy and criminal. Jerry on the other hand goes straight and becomes a Catholic priest ministering to people in the same neighborhood when he and Rocky grew up. When Rocky is released from prison he resumes his criminal lifestyle and becomes much admired by many of the local kids. Worried that the kids will follow Rocky into the criminal world, Jerry works hard to keep them on the straight and narrow. When Rocky is convicted and sentenced to the electric chair, Jerry asks him for one last favor. Written by garykmcd
Plot Keywords:
dead end kids | juvenile delinquent | priest | tough guy | electric chair |Taglines:
The saga of America's dirty faced kids... And the breaks that life won't give them! See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
26 November 1938 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Battle of City Hall See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
Edit
Jerry, As a Boy: Bulls eye!
William 'Rocky' Sullivan, as a boy: It's as dead as a door nail around here.
Jerry, As a Boy: Yeah.
See more »
(uncredited)
Music by Richard A. Whiting
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
See more »
Did You Know?
Goofs
Boxcar shows 1938 date. Sentence date was 1923. See more »Quotes
[first lines]Jerry, As a Boy: Bulls eye!
William 'Rocky' Sullivan, as a boy: It's as dead as a door nail around here.
Jerry, As a Boy: Yeah.
See more »
Soundtracks
I've Got a Heartfelt of Music(uncredited)
Music by Richard A. Whiting
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
See more »
This film is included on my personal top 10 list. The old-time ethnic slums (?) of New York City in the 20's and 30's are a picaresque window to another time. One where gangsters were heroes (to some) and filled newspapers with their exploits. Tales of crime and riches are like candy to the gangs of kids living in poverty, while seeking their own escape to something better. They could only learn from experience, what Rocky Sullivan (Cagney) already knew, there is no honor among thieves. No honor, and no road back for Rocky. But, sometimes, for someone else, fate gets a push.
A very interesting, fast-paced story, I recommend this highly. The transition from Rocky's childhood to his adult years is especially well done and cast. In 'spirited' discussions with friends, we STILL don't agree on Rocky's thoughts and motivations at the end of the film. WAS HE GIVEN AN 'OUT' ? WAS HE HERO OR COWARD? WAS IT WHAT HE WANTED? WAS IT IMPOSED ON HIM? WAS IT CALCULATED OR DID IT POUR OUT UNCONTROLLABLY? Judge for yourself. After a few viewings, it's not as simple as it appears......