7.9/10
19,416
149 user 39 critic

Angels with Dirty Faces (1938)

Trailer
3:19 | Trailer
A priest tries to stop a gangster from corrupting a group of street kids.

Director:

Michael Curtiz

Writers:

John Wexley (screen play), Warren Duff (screen play) | 1 more credit »
Reviews
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 2 wins. See more awards »

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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 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 Joe Downing ... Steve
Edward Pawley ... Edwards
Adrian Morris Adrian Morris ... Blackie
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Director: William Wyler
Stars: Sylvia Sidney, Joel McCrea, Humphrey Bogart
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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 Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

Sensational Human Drama... Terrific Thrills And Suspense! See more »


Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

While filming Rocky's shootout with the police, one scene called for James Cagney to be right at the opening as machine-gun bullets took out the windows above his head. At this point in his career Cagney had experience with the unpredictability of using live gunfire and he later recalled that "common sense or a hunch" made him wary about the upcoming scene, and he finally decided to tell director Michael Curtiz to shoot the scene in process. As Cagney walked away, the professional machine-gunner--a man named Burke--fired the shots. One of the bullets ricocheted, hitting the steel edge of the window and going right through the wall where Cagney's head had been. This experience convinced Cagney that "flirting this way with real bullets was ridiculous". See more »

Goofs

At the end of the montage showing Rocky's rise as a gangster, there is a shot of two men in a moving car throwing two "bombs" at a storefront. The bombs bounce off the window and back into the street just before the storefront explodes. 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 »

Alternate Versions

Also available in a computer colorized version. See more »

Connections

Remade as Ying hung jing juen (1986) See more »

Soundtracks

Shuffle Off to Buffalo
(1932) (uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Played at the beginning of the pool room scene
See more »

User Reviews

WILL THE CIRCLE REMAIN UNBROKEN???
16 August 1999 | by renfield54See all my reviews

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......


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Frequently Asked Questions

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 November 1938 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Ángeles con caras sucias See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros. See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »

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