Tagarchief: Gangster Films

The Asphalt Jungle (1950)

Posted on by Jeppe Kleijngeld


‘The City Under the City’

Directed by:
John Huston

Written by:
W.R. Burnett (novel)
Ben Maddow (screenplay)

Cast:
Sterling Hayden (Dix Handley), Sam Jaffe (Doc Riedenschneider), Louis Calhern (Alonzo Lon’ Emmerich), Jean Hagen (Doll Conovan), Marc Lawrence (Cobby), James Whitmore (Gus Minissi), John McIntire (Police Commisioner Hardy), Barry Kelley (Lt. Ditrich), Anthony Caruso (Louis Ciavelli), Marilyn Monroe (Angela Phinlay)

John Huston’s The Asphalt Jungle (1950) opens with haunting images of a bleak, grey city; a deserted street where a police car prowls for a hold-up man. The scene sets the tone: a decaying urban jungle, teeming with hooligans, corrupt cops, racketeers, and desperate hustlers. It’s a world now lost to time, but one Huston brings to life with unflinching realism.

At the center of the story is master criminal Doc Riedenschneider, freshly released from prison and eager to orchestrate one last major heist. He enlists the help of Emmerich, a crooked lawyer with deep pockets, and together they assemble a crew. Among them is Dix Handley (Sterling Hayden), a former farmer turned criminal and a man of brute strength, sharp wit, and an unexpected sense of honor.

Huston delves into the greed driving these men, each chasing the promise of a life-changing score. Their dreams of what comes after the heist echo themes Huston explored in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. But as a classic Film Noir, fate turns against them when Emmerich betrays his accomplices, absconding with the loot. The tragedy unfolds from there, compounded by the relentless pursuit of the police, who are just as hungry for their own ‘big score’. Huston underscores this irony early on, as cops raid a gambling den, knowing full well it’s a drop in the bucket of the city’s corruption.

The Asphalt Jungle is a gripping crime film, marked by Huston’s signature direction and standout performances. Hayden is particularly compelling as Dix, a man who is both intimidating in his criminal resolve and tender in his moments with Doll, his devoted girlfriend. The heist itself is a masterclass in tension, and the film’s denouement is tragic yet refreshingly free of heavy-handed moralizing. And for a fleeting moment, a young Marilyn Monroe graces the screen, radiant as ever in a small but memorable role.

A timeless noir, The Asphalt Jungle remains a stark, unforgettable portrait of ambition, betrayal, and the crushing weight of fate.

Rating:

Quote:

EMMERICH: After all, crime is only a left-handed form of human endeavour.

Trivia:

The third Film Noir effort from director Huston after The Maltese Falcon (1941) and Key Largo (1948). This is the first one without Humphrey Bogart.

A Bronx Tale (1993)

Posted on by Jeppe Kleijngeld


‘One man lives in the neighbourhood, another man owns it’

Directed by:
Robert De Niro

Written by:
Chazz Palminteri (based on his play)

Cast:
Robert De Niro (Lorenzo Anello), Chazz Palminteri (Sonny), Lillo Brancato Calogero ‘C’ Anello (age 17), Francis Capra (Calogero ‘C’ Anello (age 9), Taral Hicks (Jane Williams), Kathrine Narducci (Rosina Anello), Clem Caserta (Jimmy Whispers)
Dave Salerno (Frankie Coffeecake), Joe Pesci (Carmine)

Set in the Bronx during the early 1960s, A Bronx Tale follows Calogero Anello, a young boy torn between two father figures: his honest, working-class dad Lorenzo, a bus driver who takes him to Yankees games, and Sonny, the local mob boss who rules the neighborhood from the bar next door. Though Lorenzo warns his son to stay away from the bar and its criminal elements, Calogero becomes increasingly fascinated by Sonny’s power and charisma.

When Calogero witnesses Sonny commit a murder outside their home, he chooses not to identify him to the police. From that moment on, Sonny takes the boy under his wing. Despite his father’s disapproval, Calogero begins to spend time with Sonny and his crew, learning street smarts that complement his formal education.

As he enters his teenage years, Calogero walks a fine line between two worlds. He avoids falling into a life of crime, but still associates with a group of reckless, racist friends. His life takes a turn when he falls in love with Jane, a Black girl from his school, just as racial tensions in the neighborhood begin to escalate. Faced with rising conflict and peer pressure, Calogero must decide who he wants to be – drawing on the contrasting life lessons imparted by his two mentors.

Robert De Niro’s directorial debut is a modest yet heartfelt film that captures the spirit of the 1960s Bronx with warmth and authenticity. Though it starts off resembling a mob drama like GoodFellas, it evolves into a thoughtful coming-of-age story about identity, morality, and the power of choice. The period soundtrack – featuring The Impressions, The Four Tops, Dion & The Belmonts, and Dean Martin – enhances the film’s nostalgic charm.

While the film tackles racial issues with sincerity, the relationship between Calogero and Jane feels underdeveloped and at times unconvincing. Nevertheless, the performances are solid across the board. Chazz Palminteri delivers a compelling portrayal of the tough yet complex Sonny, while De Niro plays against type as the principled, soft-spoken Lorenzo. Joe Pesci also makes a brief but memorable appearance.

Overall, A Bronx Tale is a touching and nuanced film that blends the grit of street life with the warmth of a coming-of-age story. It may not hit every note perfectly, but its heart is in the right place.

Rating:

Quote:
LORENZO: “The saddest thing in life is wasted talent.”

Trivia:
The story, written by Chazz Palminteri, is semi-autobiographical. His real name is Calogero Lorenzo Palminteri.

Machine Gun Kelly (1958)

Posted on by Jeppe Kleijngeld


‘Without His Gun He Was Naked Yellow!’

Directed by:
Roger Corman

Written by:
R. Wright Campbell

Cast:
Charles Bronson (George R. ‘Machine Gun’ Kelly), Susan Cabot (Florence ‘Flo’ Becker), Morey Amsterdam (Michael Fandango), Richard Devon (Apple), Jack Lambert (Howard), Frank DeKova (Harry), Connie Cilchrist (‘Ma’ Becker), Wally Campo (Maize), Barboura Morris (Lynn Grayson), Lori Martin (Sherryl Vito)

George ‘Machine Gun’ Kelly was one of the most notorious criminals from the prohibition days, along with Baby Face Nelson, John Dillinger and Pretty Boy Floyd. What sets him apart is that Machine Gun is scared to death of death. Whenever he sees a coffin or another omen of death he starts sweating and shaking like a leaf. Hence the tagline of this film: ‘Without His Gun He Was Naked Yellow!’

The movie starts with a daring robbery. Kelly and his pals rob 41.000 dollars from a local bank. Quite a sum in those days, but Kelly wants more. His hothead behaviour causes friction in the gang, and his relationship with his girlfriend ‘Flo’ is also unstable. When they kidnap the daughter of an oil magnate, things start to go very wrong and Kelly’s downfall draws closer.

This low budget flick is directed by King of the B-movies Roger Corman. Movies about phobic gangsters were popular in the fifties. In 1950 James Cagney played a gangster with a mother complex in White Heat. This film kind of reminds of that one; only it is far from the masterpiece White Heat is. Charles Bronson plays a very cold and unsympathetic character. That makes it hard to care what happens to him. Only worth a look because of the historical aspect. In fact, the story is interesting enough for a remake – by a gifted director. That could definitely work.

Rating:

Quote:
FLORENCE ‘FLO’ BECKER: “You watch it Georgie. Your shadow will scare you to death some time.”

Trivia:
This is Roger Corman’s first gangster movie.

King of New York (1990)

Posted on by Jeppe Kleijngeld


‘Not everyone who runs a city is elected’

Directed by:
Abel Ferrara

Written by:
Nicholas St. John

Cast: Christopher Walken (Frank White), David Caruso (Dennis Gilley), Larry Fishburne (Jimmy Jump), Victor Argo (Roy Bishop), Wesley Snipes (Thomas Flanigan), Janet Julian (Jennifer), Joey Chin (Larry Wong), Giancarlo Esposito (Lance), Paul Calderon (Joey Dalesio), Steve Buscemi (Test Tube)

The Godfather meets Black Caesar in Abel Ferrara’s violent 90’s gangster tale. Christopher Walken plays the disturbing and eccentric gang lord Frank White, who is characterized by a short fuse temper, a Robin Hood-like attitude and a pretty cool haircut.

When White is released from prison he starts effectively wiping out all his competitors whom he views as the real scum of New York because they take money from the poor and weak. He is different: he uses his drug money to finance schools and hospitals. For him, this easily justifies the killing of some vermin, but a small group of Irish cops look at the matter entirely differently. They hate the idea that a drug dealer can get away with murder and so they start a war with Frank and his gang.

Ferrara and his regular screenplay writer Nicholas St. John show the viewer that crime is dirty. There is nothing glamorous about King of New York, not even the sex and coke parties. In the world these characters live in, death and betrayal could come any time. Frank knows this. In one scene he expresses his desire to stay around for just two more years, so he can finish his charity work. Death could come soon and it is hardly a heroes’ death waiting for him. Still, he has the makings of a hero.

King of New York is easily Ferrara’s most accessible movie. There is hardly any complex subtext like in basically all of his other works, but it does contain some criticism on society as can be expected from an artist like Ferrara. Basically, it is a modern day morality tale, but the message is certainly delivered in an entertaining fashion. Apart from Walken’s excellent performance, many other cast members shine as well, most notably Larry Fishburne in scene stealing form. Also contains a fair amount of violent action.

Rating:

Quote:
LARRY WONG: “You know something Frank…this conversation made me realise how fucking crazy you really are.”

Trivia:
The work of real-life friends David Caruso and Wesley Snipes in this film helped them get casted in, respectively, NYPD Blue (1993) and New Jack City (1991) each of which launched both actors into stardom.