Angels with Dirty Faces (1938)

Actors: David Durand (actor), Humphrey Bogart (actor), Mike Donovan (actor), Steve Darrell (actor), John Dilson (actor), Joe Devlin (actor), Gabriel Dell (actor), George Bancroft (actor), James Cagney (actor), Sidney Bracey (actor), Lane Chandler (actor), Frank Coghlan Jr. (actor), Sonny Bupp (actor), Joe Cunningham (actor), Earl Dwire (actor),

Plot: Rocky Sullivan and Jerry Connolly were tough kids who grew up together in the toughest part of New York --- Hell's Kitchen. Early on, Rocky gets sent to reform school, where he learns how to be a first class criminal. Jerry, who had escaped from the law, goes straight and becomes a priest. As adults, they reunite in the old neighborhood: Jerry works with the kids who, like he and Rocky, could end up on either side of the law. Rocky has returned looking for a safe place to stay till he can get back into his old racketeering organization -- something that his old partner isn't anxious to have happen. Lots of rapid fire wisecracks, roughhousing and gunfire ensues.

Keywords: anti-hero, basketball, betrayal, blackmail, bowery-boys, boys'-choir, casino, catholic, catholic-priest, cellar
Genres: Crime, Drama, Film-Noir, Thriller,
Taglines: The saga of America's dirty faced kids... And the breaks that life won't give them! Sensational Human Drama... Terrific Thrills And Suspense! A Big Time Cast in a Big City Drama Destined to be the Biggest Hit in Years!

Quotes:

[last lines]::Father Jerry: All right, fellas... let's go and say a prayer for a boy who couldn't run as fast as I could.

Rocky Sullivan: [to Jim Frazier] Look, I know you're a smart lawyer - very smart - but don't get smart with me.

Rocky Sullivan: 'Morning, gentlemen. Nice day for a murder.

Soapy: Hey! Call a fair game or I'll slap you right in the kisser!::Rocky Sullivan: You'll slap me? You slap me in a dream, you better wake up and apologize.

[repeated lines]::Rocky Sullivan: Whadda ya hear! Whadda ya say!

William 'Rocky' Sullivan, as a boy: Always remember: Don't be a sucker.

[Father Jerry is returning the $10,000 Rocky has sent him 'anonymously' to help build the recreation center]::Rocky Sullivan: Suppose the dough is hot? Nobody knows that but you and me.::Father Jerry: That's just it.::Rocky Sullivan: Oh, come on, don't be such an angel. You wanna get the center built, don't you? Well, go ahead - get it started.::Father Jerry: Sure I wanna get it started; but I don't wanna get it started on rotten foundations.::Rocky Sullivan: Aw, don't be a sucker!::Father Jerry: All right, Rocky, supposin' I take the money... and I kid myself that it's a means to an end - well it isn't. It never will be. Inside the center my boys would be clean... and outside they'd be surrounded by the same rotten corruption and crime and criminals. Yes, yourself included. Criminals on all sides for my boys to look up to and revere... and respect and admire and imitate. What earthly good is it for me to teach that honesty is the best policy when all around they see that dishonesty is a better policy? That the hoodlum and the gangster is looked up to with the same respect as the successful businessman or the popular hero? You and the Fraziers and the Keefers and all the rest of those rotten politicians you've got in the palm of your hand. Yes, and you've got my boys, too. Whatever I teach them, you... you show me up. You show them the easiest way - the quickest way is with a racket or a gun.::Rocky Sullivan: Well, it's so, ain't it?::Father Jerry: Yes, it's so... God help us.

[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.

Jerry, As a Boy: [to Rocky] Come on, Rocky. Jump!

William 'Rocky' Sullivan, as a boy: Hi Jerry.::Jerry, As a Boy: Hello.::William 'Rocky' Sullivan, as a boy: Whadda ya hear! Whadda ya say!