Dvorak, Ann

Scarface (Universal Cinema Classics)

Howard Hawks's Scarface was one of the first "talkies" to reclaim the fluidity of the late-silent masterpieces, while also tapping into a feral new energy that came with talking smart and moving smarter on the motion picture screen. Outgunning such contemporaries as Little Caesar and The Public Enemy--in terms of both its ferocious death-dealing and dynamic style--the movie was interfered with by censors and kept out of circulation for decades thanks to its eccentric producer, Howard Hughes. It remains the gold standard among classic gangster pictures. Paul Muni's portrayal of Al Capone surrogate Tony Camonte etched a screen original: a merciless assassin who's not only reflexively criminal but pre-civilized, almost pre-evolutionary, a simian shadow ready to rub out the world if he can't have it for his own. This is still one of the greatest, darkest, most deeply exciting films American cinema has produced. Those demonically ubiquitous X's--starting with that titular scar gouged into Tony's cheek--rival "Rosebud" for resonance. --Richard T. Jameson

Generally regarded to be the best of the classic gangster films, Scarface tells the exciting story of organized crime's brutal control over Chicago during the Prohibition era. Oscar winner Paul Muni gives an electrifying performance as Tony Carmonte, an ambitious criminal with a ruthless drive to be the city's top crime boss. Produced and directed by the legendary Howard Hawks, Scarface was a groundbreaking film which established both Paul Muni and George Raft as major Hollywood stars, while influencing all gangland films to follow.

G Men

There comes a time in the career of every gangster star when he has to go straight. Jimmy Cagney did it in "G" Men, a crisp crimefighting drama directed by William Keighley. Its hero is one more Cagney variation on the working-class guy with a smart mouth and a hard right, only this time he's a lawyer whose education was paid for by the avuncular local crimelord. Cagney's on the square, though, and after a law-school pal turned F.B.I. agent is murdered in the line of duty, he joins the Bureau. Made with the blessings of J. Edgar Hoover, the movie pays homage to several spectacular moments in Bureau legend, but it's at its grabbiest when things get personal for Cagney--say, the complications that arise from his onetime sorta-girlfriend, nightclub chanteuse Ann Dvorak, taking up with very bad dude Barton MacLane.

Film critic Manny Farber praised Keighley as "the least sentimental director of gangster careers," and he gives the numerous murders and shootouts a jolting ferocity. (Thirteen years later Keighley helmed the excellent F.B.I. case history Street With No Name.) The I-don't-like-you-and-I-don't-trust-you byplay between Cagney and his Bureau boss Robert Armstrong gets old, but there's flavorful thuggery from MacLane, Edward Pawley, Noel Madison, et al. "G" Men's style is briskly no-nonsense, yet so beautifully has the film been restored and digitally remastered, there are moments when Sol Polito's cinematography literally glows. One gripe only: The movie should have been presented as it was in 1935, without the F.B.I.-classroom intro tacked on for 1949 reissue (the sort of thing "Special Features" was made for). --Richard T. Jameson

In 1931 James Cagney helped jump-start the gangster genre as The Public Enemy. In 1935 he waged on-screen war against the nation's public enemies. Outcries against movies that glorified underworld criminals put Cagney on the side of the law in "G" Men. Emphasis may have changed but elements are the same. "G" Men builds to a fury of bold escapes siren-wailing pursuits and frenzied shootouts. "Anything worth newspaper space is worth a movie" Warner Bros. executive Lou Edelman declared. Here a punchy hot-off-the-presses account of the pursuit and capture of John Dillinger provides the story inspiration as tough-guy Cagney gives it to 'em good in a movie that's "fast gutsy as simplistic and powerful as a tabloid headline" (Geoff Andrew Time Out Film Guide).Running Time: 86 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA UPC: 012569679504 Manufacturer No: 67950

Flame of Barbary Coast

Republic Pictures could be downright bewildering when they tried for sophisticated entertainment (mostly the studio specialized in B-movie-with-a-plus knockabout). Exhibit A is this San Francisco wannabe that, despite the presence of John Wayne in a Stetson, is not a Western because it's all citified, takes place six years into the 20th century (when is that earthquake due?), and spotlights romance, capitalism, and civic virtue instead of gunplay. Montana cowhand Duke Fergus (Duke Wayne), effectively robbed by big-time gambler Tito Morell (Joseph Schildkraut), studies up on gambling and returns to beat the simpering Continental at his own game and wrest away his beloved chantoosie Flaxen Tarry (Ann Dvorak). At regular intervals, two of these three people will have a scene in which they express major hostility, come to an understanding, indicate mutual admiration, then get mad all over again--within the space of eight lines of dialogue. None of this makes sense, so it must be sophisticated. --Richard T. Jameson

Film Noir - The Dark Side of Hollywood (Sudden Fear / The Long Night / Hangmen Also Die / Railroaded / Behind Locked Doors)

Classic Western Collection

Randolph Scott Double Feature, Vol. 1: Abilene Town/Fighting Westerner

The Long Night

Abilene Town

In the years following the Civil War, the town of Abilene, Kansas is poised on the brink of an explosive confrontation between the homesteaders and the cattlemen. Randolph Scott portrays a genial town marshall who is determined to bring about a peaceful solution and restore calm.

Legendary Outlaws, Vol. 2 (The Return of Jesse James / Gunfire)

Actors: John Ireland, Ann Dvorak, Henry Hull, Hugh O'Brian, Reed Hadley, Clifton Young, Tommy Noonan, Don 'Red' Barry, Gaylord Pendleton, Robert Anderson, Robert Lowery - Return of Jesse James: Johnny is a spitting image of the real Jesse, unfortunately for him; he is mistaken for him by a grizzled old member of the now deceased James Gang. Johnny is convinced to lead a new gang to rob banks using the same infamous method as the famed outlaw. Jesse's brother Frank decides to put a stop to the defamation of his dead brother's name. Gunfire: The now reformed outlaw Frank James (Don Barry) is living quietly in Greed, Colorado as a respected member of the community. An exact double for Frank gathers a gang and begins a path of chaos that Frank is blamed for. Will Frank go back to his outlaw ways to save himself? DVD Bonus & Features: Scene Selection Menu, Bios, Promo Trailer Product Specs: DVD-9, Dolby Digital, NTSC/All Region, English Language

The Great American Western Vol. 1-10 (44 Movies)