Ultimate Gangsters Collection: Classics Blu-ray Review
4 gangster film classics from the 30’s and 40’s.
Before “The Godfather” and “Goodfellas,” the gangster film genre was ruled by actors like Edward G. Robinson and James Cagney. If you aren’t familiar with their filmography, you’re in the right place as the “Ultimate Gangsters Collection: Classics” is a perfect starting place for you. Within this Blu-ray set are 4 films- 1931’s “Little Caesar” (no relation to the pizza place), 1931’s “The Public Enemy” (best known for the grapefruit scene) 1936’s “The Petrified Forest” (early Bogart), and 1949’s “White Heat” (where the iconic movie quote “Top of the world, ma!” came from).
Directed by Mervyn LeRoy, the pre-code “Little Caesar” is known as one of the very first gangster films and it’s certainly a fantastic and influential one at that. The story revolves around the rise and fall of Caesar Enrico “Rico” Bandello who moves to Chicago with his pal Joe. Joe goes straight and becomes a dancer while Rico moves up the ladder in the crime biz and becomes a very violent individual. Rico, of course, is played by Edward G. Robinson who is in absolute peak form here. He brings so many layers to the character and gives a larger than life performance.
“The Public Enemy” (directed by William A. Wellman) is another pre-code gangster film, only this one features James Cagney. The film traces the life of friends Tom and Matt- small time hood who grow up to be bootleggers. Other key storylines involve Tom’s wiser brother Mike (who enlists in WWI), Tom’s love life and a gang war. Much like Edward G. Robinson, James Cagney is one of the best actors to ever play a gangster. It’s hard to believe that Cagney (a frequent musical song and dance man) could be such a vicious and violent gangster, but it’s a testament to his range and acting ability. The film itself is also a premiere character piece and gangster film that ranks up there with the best.
“The Petrified Forest” qualifies as a gangster film, but it’s really more of a hostage crisis film. ‘Forest’ (which is based on the play by Robert E. Sherwood) involves a drifting writer (Alan) stumbling into an Arizona diner where he meets a group of people (including a waitress named Gabrielle). The diner later becomes held hostage by a gangster on the run (Duke). The Archie Mayo directed Hollywood production is a true star studded affair as the cast features Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, and Leslie Howard. It also happens to be an intense and often imitated picture.
Last, but not least there’s “White Heat” which is arguably the best film in the entire set (and that’s saying something). Raoul Walsh’s gangster film stars James Cagney at his best as the crazed and violent gang leader and momma’s boy Arthur “Cody” Jarrett who does everything from bust out of prison to plotting a heist. As mentioned earlier, this is the film that features the immortal line “Top of the world, ma!” It’s a great climactic scene and is quite possibly one of the most memorable endings in film history (let alone gangster movie history).
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 1.32:1 1080p for “Little Caesar” and 1.37:1 1080p for the other 3 films. How do the films look? “Little Caesar” looks a little rough around the edges with the flickers and lines, “The Public Enemy” has a quality restoration, “The Petrified Forest” looks exquisite, and “White Heat” has far and away the best and sharpest picture quality of the 4 films.
Audio Track: 1.0 DTS-HD MA. How do the films sound? The audio sounds clean if a bit muted at times. ‘Petrified’ and ‘Heat’ fare the best here.
Extras:
* Theatrical trailers for all 4 films
* Commentary on “Little Caesar” by film historical Richard B. Jewell, commentary on “The Public Enemy” by film historian Robert Sklar, commentary on “The Petrified Forest” by Humphrey Bogart biographer Eric Lax and commentary on “White Heat” by film historian Dr. Drew Casper.
* 4 cartoons (on the bonus DVD)- “I Like Mountain Music,” “She Was An Acrobat’s Daughter,” and “Racketeer Rabbit,” and “Bugs And Thus.”
* A documentary film titled “Public Enemies: The Golden Age Of The Gangster Film” (on the bonus DVD).
* A 1954 release foreword textual message for “Little Caesar” and “The Public Enemy.”
* “Little Caesar: End Of Rico, Beginning Of The Antihero”- A featurette about the significance of “Little Caesar.”
* “Warner Night At The Movies 1930”- An intro by film critic Leonard Maltin, a newsreel, “Five Star Final” trailer, a short film (“The Hard Guy”) and a cartoon (“Lady Play Your Mandolin”).
* “Beer And Blood: Enemies Of The Public”- A short documentary on “The Public Enemy.”
* “Warner Night At The Movies 1932”- Leonard Maltin intro, newsreel, “Blonde Crazy” trailer, a cartoon (“Smile, Darn Ya, Smile!”) and a short film (“The Eyes Have It”).
* 1940 radio drama of “The Petrified Forest.”
* “The Petrified Forest: Menace In The Desert” featurette
* “Warner Night At The Movies 1936”- Leonard Maltin intro, newsreel, “Bullets Or Ballots” trailer, cartoon (“The Coo Coo Nut Grove”) and short film (“Rhythmitis”).
* “White Heat: Top Of The World” featurette
* “Warner Night At The Movies 1949”- Leonard Maltin intro, newsreel, “The Fountainhead” trailer, cartoon (“Homeless Hare”) and short film (“So You Think You’re Not Guilty”).
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