|
| Smart Money | 
 enlarge | Director: Alfred E. Green
Actors: Edwin Argus, Maurice Black, James Cagney, Noel Francis, John George
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.98
Buy New: $10.91
You Save: $9.07 (45%)
New (42) Used (9) from $10.91
Avg. Customer Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 54855
Format: Black & White, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 81
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: WARD035746D
UPC: 883929002726
EAN: 0883929002726
ASIN: B0012D6A0S
Theatrical Release Date: 1931
Release Date: March 25, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: * BRAND NEW * FAST SHIPPING * FREE USPS SHIPPING E-MAIL *
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 03/25/2008 Run time: 81 minutes
|
| Customer Reviews:
 Smart Money July 12, 2008
Well worth it if you're into either Edward G. Robinson or James Cagney....
Gritty gangsters with enough molls and bad behavior to get s Sunday School Teacher spastic......
 Robinson and Cagney May 13, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
For Edward G. Robinson fans, this is a nice treat; for James Cagney admirers, it's worth the purchase, even though it's meant as a Robinson vehicle. Both actors were mere months away from their starmaking films (Little Caesar and The Public Enemy). Cagney was not to play second fiddle again after Smart Money.
Robinson has been described as looking like "a deranged cherub," and the description holds true here. Personally, he holds no attraction with this reviewer, who purchased the film strictly for its Cagney content, and who was not disappointed. Cagney's pantomime of a beautiful woman waiting outside the door to see Robinson's character was priceless, and doubtless an improv on Cagney's part.
Extras include a commentary by film historians Alain Silver and James Ursini who, at times, wax a little too psycho-analytical (for my taste) into the psychological elements between the two main characters. Vintage news reels, classic cartoons, and a trailer for "Other Mens' Women" are added extras.
Worth the purchase whether you're a Robinsonite or Cagneyite.
5 star commentary for 4 star film April 5, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
"Smart Money" was the follow up film for Edward G. Robinson after his smash hit as "Little Caesar". This is a very rare film which has been unseen for years. Not only is it of interest to historians but it stands up very well today and is good entertainment. Released in 1931, some 5 months after the former film, it is a much better production in every way, although the story is tamer. Robinson plays a barber with a renowned gambling ability who hits the big city, funded by his friends from home and hoping to make a mint. The film traces his progress from small town hick to big city gambler but lacks the violence of "Little Caesar". Robinson himself requested that the more unattractive traits of his character be toned down and in this one, he is much more vulnerable and likeable, with a penchant for blondes. He is supported by James Cagney in his last supporting role. The film is very well directed by Alfred Green and is surprisingly detailed for a Warners film of this period, an A film, no doubt about it. The print is excellent.
The real gem of this DVD is the outstanding commentary which can be played with the film. Two erudite historians place the film squarely in its context: the advent of sound, Warner Brothers lead in recording, the pre-code aspects of the script and characters and finally, biographical information about the stars, all delivered and paced beautifully. Wow! The DVD also contains a crude trailer for "Other Men's Woman", another film with Cagney in a supporting role, a brief newsreel with a glimpse of Al Capone and a very old classic cartoon. There are two musical short films. The first stars the famous George Jessel who introduces a Russian choir with some starchy comedy. The other is much better - a neat broadway yarn with a long forgotten singer Walter O'Keefe, who has a great way with a song and can actually deliver dialogue. It is surprisingly good.
This is a very good DVD package, even better value if purchased as part of the Warner's Gangster Series, Volume 3.
Robinson as a kinder gentler gangster March 30, 2008
1931's "Smart Money" is the only time Edward G. Robinson and James Cagney were paired in a film. Robinson is definitely in the lead here, though. Although it's impossible to really describe Cagney as "subdued" in anything he ever did, he is toned down a bit. Robinson plays Nick the barber, who gets 10K together to gamble in one of the syndicate's big games. This turns out the way you'd expect when a small time guy goes up against the mob and expects them to play on the level. Robinson's character vows revenge as a result of this double-cross. He eventually does become a successful big-time gambler with a gambling syndicate of his own. At this point he begins to attract the attention of law enforcement.
Don't expect Robinson's Little Caesar character to show up here - Nick the Barber is a kinder gentler gangster. In fact, he's really not much of a gangster at all. He pretty much limits his law-breaking to participating in and backing gambling until the final scene, which turns out to be the height of irony.
Special Features:
Commentary track
Theatrical trailer: Other Men's Women
Two WB shorts: George Jessel and His Art Choir and The Smart Set-Up
WB cartoon: Big Man From the North
|
|
|
 Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
